Illinois Deer Apparently Don’t Believe in Looking Both Ways

If you've ever driven down an Illinois road and had a deer suddenly appear out of absolutely nowhere, you know how terrifying that split-second can be.

You're driving along, minding your business, and suddenly there's a deer standing in the middle of the road like it can't stand anywhere else.  The worst part?  Those deer are not waiting for you to pass before deciding to cross.

Read More: Best Ways To Avoid Deer Collisions on Illinois Roads 

Canva

I was headed from Rockford to Belvidere and a deer bolted out in the middle of the road about five feet from my car.  At first, I thought it was a ghost, then I realized it was a freakin' deer!

We're heading into one of the riskiest times of the year for deer-related car accidents across Illinois and the Midwest.  Peak deer mating season, also known as the rut, runs through October, November and December.

During this time, deer become more active as they search for mates, which means they may be moving around more often and darting across roads when drivers least expect it.

The biggest problem is that deer don't exactly follow traffic laws.  They aren't checking for headlines, looking both ways, or waiting for a break in traffic.  One second, the road is clear, and the next a deer is sprinting across all four lanes.

What to do if a deer runs in front of your moving vehicle

Resist the urge to swerve.  Slamming on your brakes might actually be safer than risking a collision with another car.

If you hit a deer:

• Pull over somewhere safe
• Turn your hazard lights on
• Call for help if needed
• Don't approach the animal, even if you think it's safe

Read More: Rockford Driver’s Near Miss With a Deer Will Make Your Heart Stop

Just consider this a remind that it's deer season, and deer are going to roam wherever they want... when they want... with no warning.