The Minnesota State Patrol has noticed an increase in accidents involving cars hitting deer, which can be fatal, and they also shared a video showing how fast it can happen.

According to their Facebook post, six people were killed and 26 injured as a result of crashes involving deer last year.  The video above shows a Minnesota State Patrol car hitting a deer, which was captured on their dash cam.

The Minnesota Office Of Traffic Safety offers these tips to lower your chances of hitting a deer while out on the road, as well as limiting damage should an accident occur:

  • Drive at safe speeds and always be buckled up.
  • Be especially cautious from 6 - 9 p.m., when deer are most active.
  • Use high beams as much as possible at night, especially in deer-active areas.
  • Motorists: don’t swerve to avoid a deer. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic.
  • Motorcyclists: Avoid night and low-light riding periods. A rider’s best response when encountering a deer is to use both brakes for maximum braking and to keep your eyes and head up to improve your chances of keeping the bike up. If a crash is imminent, and there is enough space to swerve around the deer without leaving the roadway, use maximum braking and just before impact, attempt a swerve in the opposite direction the deer is traveling. Riders are encouraged to wear full face helmets and full protective gear to prevent injury or death in a crash. High visibility gear can assist other driver’s in seeing you better; whether it’s while making an evasive maneuver to avoid a deer or laying on the roadway after impacting a deer.
  • Don’t count on deer whistles or deer fences to deter deer from crossing roads.
  • Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. If anything looks slightly suspicious, slow down.
  • Slow down in areas known to have a large deer population — such as areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land; and whenever in forested areas between dusk and dawn.
  • Deer do unpredictable things — they stop in the middle of the road when crossing; cross and quickly re-cross back; and move toward an approaching vehicle. Blow horn to urge deer to leave the road. Stop if the deer stays on the road, don’t try to go around it.
  • If a deer is struck but not killed by a vehicle, keep a distance as deer may recover and move on. If a deer does not move on, or poses a public safety risk, report the incident to a DNR conservation officer or other local law enforcement agency.

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