It is that time of year when deer become a more prevalent concern for motorists, and Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says drivers need to be aware morning, noon, and night.
As part of his interview with KVOE News recently, Koelsch noted that many believe the only time when they need to be cautious while driving when it involves deer is in the evening and overnight hours. He says that is far from the case noting that while most deer-related accidents tend to happen between dusk and dawn they can occur just as easily in the daytime hours.
Koelsch adds that if drivers see one deer along the roadway they should assume they are not alone and remain vigilant. According to recent statistics from the Kansas Department of Transportation, over 650 individuals were hurt and seven killed as a result of crashes involving deer.
According to AAA Kansas, the average claim for an animal strike accident was nearly $8,300, a nearly 20 percent increase from the prior year due largely to new vehicle technology. With that in mind and the fact that all collisions that cause at least $1,000 in property damage must be reported to law enforcement, it is recommended that drivers report any accidents regardless of how significant the damage may appear.
