As we are now into the final weeks of fall, local law enforcement is reminding residents they need to be extra vigilant for deer on the roadways.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch made that statement during a recent interview on KVOE’s Morning Show Monday. Koelsch says the end of fall and the start of the winter season is traditionally the time when law enforcement sees a sudden spike in deer and vehicle collisions.
While many believe these collisions are largely restricted to major highways and rural areas, Koelsch says that is far from the truth as collisions in town, while less frequent, are still highly possible.
Koelsch adds that extra vigilance is not necessary only for those operating a motor vehicle.
Koelsch adds it’s important to wear seatbelts at all times and best to hit a deer in the way instead of swerving to avoid it as swerving may make a driver lose control and hit a fixed object instead, increasing the risk of significant injuries or death. In the event of a vehicle and deer collision, drivers are required to report crashes involving at least $1,000 in property damage to law enforcement.
People wanting to remove a deer carcass from a crash site need to get a salvage tag from deputies at the crash site or from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Koelsch’s appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show Monday followed the latest vehicle-deer collision in Lyon County Sunday at Kansas Turnpike mile marker 153.8.
The accident sent a 20-year-old Emily Maria Estrella of South Dakota to Newman Regional Health. A passenger, 21-year-old Bryan Cantu of Donna Texas, was not listed as hurt.
Close to 30 deer-vehicle accidents have been reported since September 15.
