Const. David Smith of the MHPS Traffic Unit. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

What to do if you have a collision with a deer

Jul 23, 2021 | 4:59 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – That deer can often be spotted in fields and sometimes in yards while people walk around the city is something Hatters generally like.

But it’s a different story when they’re driving.

With deer not only on the outskirts of Medicine Hat but migrating back and forth through the city, collisions with motorists are almost inevitable.

If you are involved in a collision with a deer what should you do?

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“If it’s safe to do so you’re going to want to move the vehicle off the road just to prevent any further collision and you’re going to want to put on your hazard lights, which is your four-way flashers,” says Const. David Smith of the Medicine Hat Police Service Traffic Unit. “Deer are really active in the morning and in the evening so the lighting might not be the best so you’re going to want to put some lightning on which is your four-ways.”

Smith says to call the non-emergency line at 403-529-8481 and dispatch will walk you through the steps of helping you calm down and reporting the collision. If you need medical assistance call 911.

You may need to attend the collision reporting centre at MHPS headquarters and it’s a good idea to take photos, says Smith.

No matter what condition it’s in Smith says not to approach the deer.

“If it does survive the actual impact it’s probably going to be very upset and in a fight or flight kind of mentality. So you could end up getting severely hurt if you do approach the deer.”

If the deer didn’t survive, there are other concerns such as parasites.

Another thing you shouldn’t do is try to block traffic, he says.

“That could potentially cause a bigger problem,” says Smith. “If the deer is blocking traffic or obstructing traffic in any way, with your vehicle pulled off to the side of the road with your four-way flashers on, a lot of times people are going to clue in that there’s something not right with the four ways on. Police or emergency services will get there as soon as possible.”

Smith adds deer are most active in the mornings and evenings and the best way to avoid a collision is to pay attention and keep your focus on the road and what’s next to the road in front of you.

“You may see a deer on the side of the road and it’s standing still, in a heartbeat it could turn around and jump out in front of you and you won’t even have time to react,” he said.