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Illinois police urge drivers to be wary of deer

PEORIA - The Illinois State Police encouraged drivers to be more aware of deer this fall, especially in rural parts of the state.

More than 20,000 deer are involved in Illinois traffic accidents each year and autumn is one of the most dangerous times of year for drivers, according to the department. Cultivated fields, wooded areas and plains are common settings for accidents involving vehicles and deer, Trooper Tracy Lillard, a safety education officer with the state police, told the (Peoria) Journal Star.

Lauren Malmberg, the Peoria County animal protection services director, agrees.

"I can practically tell you where those deer will be," Malmberg said. "There are places you can regularly count 20 or 30 deer standing near the road. Fields are one of those places."

Many of the accidents occur during dawn or dusk, according to state police and Malmberg, although they stress that deer can appear on roads at any time.

"Just because one (deer) has crossed doesn't mean they're done. There are very often more behind them," Malmberg said. "They are very erratic. When you think they're going to jump left, they will jump right."

Drivers should steer and brake within their designated lane, Lillard said, instead of swerving to avoid deer.

"Actually striking the deer can severely damage the automobile, but the occupants routinely remain uninjured," Lillard said.

But being alert and aware of a potential run in with deer can help drivers avoid collisions with the animal, according to Malmberg.

"Those deer-crossing signs are there for a reason," she said. "Drivers just need to slow down and pay attention."

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