BUCKle up!
As hunting season continues in Michigan, Sheriff Chuck Heit would like to remind motorists’ to buckle up. Seatbelts are the best defense in the event of a crash.
According to the Michigan Office of Highway Planning, there are 2 million deer in Michigan and they are most active this time of year. In 2021, there were 50,000vehicle-deer crashes, with 80 percent occurring on two-lane roads. Most of these crashes occur during dust and dawn when deer are on the move.
Sheriff Heit and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reminds drivers to:
- Stay Alert, awake, aware, sober, and travel at safe speeds
- Watch for deer crossing signs
- Deer typically follow one another so if you see one, there may be more nearby
- If a crash is unavoidable, DO NOT VEER!!! Brake firmly and try to stay in your lane
- If you hit a deer, turn on your emergency flashers and try to move your vehicle out of the road
- If you cannot, carefully exit your vehicle and stand at the side of the road away from traffic
- Call the police and provide your location and any information if anyone is injured
Remember to slow down and move over for first responders, tow vehicles and road/highway workers.
Together, we can help make Michigan roads safer.
