News 12 at 11 o'clock -- December 9, 2009

EVANS, Ga. -- More than 600 vehicles have collided with deer on Columbia County's roads this year, breaking last year's record.

With the winter here for the holidays drivers must beware because though it is the holiday season, it is also deer breeding season, which means more deer are running around town that drivers can run into.

Christy Young is one of those 606 who have hit a deer this year, who's husband hit one just outside of her Martinez home about two months ago.

""I was like holy cow!," she said. "The deer just spun and landed right there on the side of the road."

She doesn't believe the deer died from the crash, but when it happened she felt bad for the deer until she got the $1,500 bill to repair her GMC Yukon.

Young said it was mainly a hassle to get her car fixed after hitting the deer, but she said she was happy things weren't worse for her husband and her own safety.

That hassle she had to deal with is nothing new to Cushman Paint and Body who showed us several vehicles they were repairing because they had a run in with a deer, said the body shop's Angelo Paulos.

"I have seen a ton this year," Paulos said. "They start moving at night and at dark because of the cold weather."

He said the trend is growing right now also because the city of Evans has grown so much so the deer don't have anywhere else to go.

Cushman's advertises that they specialize in "Reindeer Hit's" this time of the year, but another type of deer is bringing many cars into their shop.

Paulos advises driver's to hit a deer if they one is in the middle of the road instead of swerving out of the way because it could make matters worse especially when it's raining.

Young agrees and hopes she doesn't hit anymore of them this holiday season.

In 2007 the number of deer that were hit was 366 and the past two years it has been more than 600.

Here are some other suggestions to prevent having a deer accident as well.

Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise.

Drive with caution when moving through deer crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland.

Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.

When driving at night, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of the deer near the roadway.

Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.
Break firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.

Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in deer-vehicle collisions were not wearing their seat belt.

Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences, and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.

Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your car. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.

If you strike a deer or any other animal, please contact the Columbia County Animal Care & Control Department at 541-4077 or call 3-1-1 and advise of the location and size of the deer for quick removal.