Officials warn of increased roadkill as nights grow cooler
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As the nights grow cooler across Mid-Missouri, officials say it is important to watch out for animals on the roads.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol are warning about increased roadkill on the roadways this time of year.
Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Fire Chief Gale Blomenkamp said while the increased deer presence is good for hunters, drivers should be wary.
"It's good for hunting it's not good for driving," Blomenkamp said. "So deer are very active this time of year and they are gonna be active now, mostly through October and mostly through November."
Missouri ranks 14th in the country for potential vehicle and animal collisions and as the weather gets cooler, fall is breeding season and deer are on the move.
"We have grown so large that we have kind of invaded their territory so deer can be anywhere at any point," Blomenkamp said.
Deer travel in groups, and the patrol warns if you see a deer to slow down and drive with caution as more deer could be in the area.
The highway patrol asks drivers if they hit a deer or other animal, to move their vehicle to a safe location and call 911. And drivers are urged to not swerve to avoid hitting a deer, as that can result in a more serious crash.
"It's better off to hit the animal than swerve because most of the time when you swerve you're going to lose control and be in a ditch," Blomenkamp said.
According to 2021 statistics from the Highway Patrol, there were 3,779 deer/vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. Out of these crashes, three people were killed and 420 people were injured. One deer strike occurs every two hours and 18 minutes.
According to Missouri law drivers who hit a deer with their vehicle can claim the carcass if they are authorized by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
