Deer in the headlights are a danger

By Mark Hodgins

BELLEVILLE – Northumberland OPP sent out a media release Monday urging drivers to watch out for deer on roadways.

According to the report, three collisions involving a car and a deer took place over the weekend in Northumberland County. In all cases no one was injured, but extensive damage was done to all vehicles involved.

The most recent Ontario road safety annual report from the Ministry of Transportation shows that in 2011, there was a total of 12,808 accidents involving a car and a wild animal.  Of those accidents, four were fatal, 471 resulted in injury and over 12,000 caused damage to the vehicles involved.

The report also says that November, December and January are the months with the most collisions.

The “OPP would like to remind motorists that it is that time of year where wildlife are on the move and food sources are dwindling, causing them to come out of their normal habitat and onto roadways,” the Northumberland report said.

The OPP were not immediately available for further comment Monday afternoon.