EDITORIAL — Deer are on accident waiting to happen

EDITORIAL — A deer was killed Wednesday in a collision with a vehicle.

That isn’t unusual in Kamloops. What was different about this one was that it turned into a two-vehicle accident. RCMP reported that a deer ran out onto the Trans Canada Highway at the Kokanee Way exit and was hit and killed by a westbound car.

The driver pulled over and parked on the shoulder. Within minutes, said the police report, another westbound vehicle hit the dead deer. That driver lost control and his vehicle rolled five times, coming to a stop on the grass median. The driver was taken to hospital by ambulance.

At least two other vehicle vs. deer collisions happened the the same day. “Drivers are urged to be more aware of animals on or near the highways and to drive defensively,” RCMP said. “Deer are commonly seen in the Kamloops area and unfortunately are commonly involved in wildlife vehicle collisions.”

No kidding. Vehicle collisions with deer have become nothing short of epidemic. It’s worse during some seasons  and worse during certain times of day. Early morning or dusk, when the animals move back and forth from the safety of forested areas to watering spots are the worst.

Many collisions — the Trans Canada incident excepted, perhaps — are caused by driver carelessness. People simply drive too fast and without due care and attention. In the evening, as darkness falls, good peripheral vision is a must.

There is no shortage of deer. In fact, they have become more and more used to living among us, including, unfortunately, on our roadways, especially in more rural areas. Unless fences are eight feet tall, the deer hop over them with ease. They hang out along road shoulders and stroll ever so slowly across the asphalt. Combined with driver inattention they are, literally, accidents waiting to happen.

Running into an animal, especially a big one like a deer, is an awful experience. An injured deer can suffer for hours. Drivers and passengers can be injured or even killed. At the least, vehicle damage is usually extensive.

“Drive defensively” takes on a whole new meaning with deer.