Rochester Hills Gives These Tips For Motorists Encountering Deer

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — With the arrival of fall comes an increase in deer activity. Local motorists should be more aware of the greater potential for deer to dart across roadways. To prevent deer/vehicle crashes (DVCs), please be on the lookout for deer by the roadways. It is important to keep an eye out for wildlife all year round, but deer are most active from Oct. 15 to Dec. 15.

When startled by an approaching vehicle, deer can panic and dart out from any direction without warning. Flashing your high-beam headlights or honking your horn won’t deter deer. The Rochester Hills’ Deer Management Advisory Committee (DMAC) works together every year to raise awareness.

Soon, residents will see message boards that remind drivers not to veer. With the support of City Council, the city staff and DMAC will install these movable signs with the message “High Deer Crash Area, Use Caution”. These signs will be placed at locations based on 2018 deer crash data “hot spots” during the month of October, November, and December.

What can drivers do?
• Observe “High Deer Crash Area, Use Caution” message boards that the city places in deer/vehicle collision hotspots throughout the City from October through December.
• If you see one deer, slow down. Chances are there are others nearby.
• Be especially alert for deer at dusk and dawn

What if a crash is unavoidable?
• Don’t swerve! Brake firmly, hold on to the steering wheel, stay in your lane and bring your vehicle to a controlled stop.
• Pull off the road, turn on your emergency flashers and be cautious of other traffic.
• Don’t attempt to remove a deer from the roadway and report the crash to the nearest police agency.

The message boards are one of the city's annual efforts to share with the community how to coexist with deer. Throughout the year there will be deer gardening seminars, brochures, helpful tips on utility bills, and more.

"DVCs rise significantly during the fall. The boards serve as a reminder to motorists to be vigilant behind the wheel" states Natural Resources Manager Matt Einheuser. "This combined with programming and resources help educate our community on how to keep themselves and our wildlife safe."

To learn more about the DMAC or helpful wildlife information, visit rochesterhills.org/deer.