State Police Launch ‘Antler Alert’

The New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Troop T are reminding motorists of the danger of deer season with their annual “Antler Alert.”

Most deer-vehicle collisions occur from November through December, according to the Thruway Authority and State Police Troop T. More than 2,200 of these incidents occurred along the thruway in 2011.

The Thruway Authority offers some tips for motorists:

• Deer are more active during evening, dusk and dawn, scan shoulders of the roadside for deer eyes reflecting light. Using high beams and sounding horn may help to repel deer, but won’t necessarily prevent a collision.
• Slow down when approaching deer standing at the roadside, as they may run into oncoming traffic. Deer often move in groups. Where there’s one, there may be more.
• If you see a deer, brake firmly. The most serious vehicle-deer accidents occur when drivers veer at high speeds, and strike another vehicle or go off the road.