Saanich police responded to two crashes caused by near misses with deer within a 12-hour period, something one sergeant said is becoming a daily occurrence.
“We’re seeing almost daily accidents involving deer,” said Saanich police Sgt. Tyra Reid, adding that they’re common around Mount Douglas Park, along the Pat Bay Highway and in Cordova Bay.
On Monday around midnight, a driver swerved to avoid a deer, sending the car off the road and into the fence of a resident who lives adjacent to the Pat Bay Highway near Sayward Road.
Dave Carney, who woke up in the morning to find debris from the crash around his yard, said the car narrowly missed a tree, a utility pole and a concrete fence.
Hours later, about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, a driver was uninjured after hitting a deer in the 5700-block of Oldfield Road near Brookleigh Road.
According to ICBC, there were 1,800 animal-related crashes on Vancouver Island in 2013, of which 89 resulted in an injury to a driver or passenger (2013 is the most recent year for which there are statistics.)
There hasn’t been a fatality as a result of a collision with an animal on Vancouver Island since 2011. The insurance corporation does not break down numbers for deer in particular.
Reid said it’s important for motorists to watch for deer, particularly during the wet winter months. October and November are the worst months for vehicle-animal collisions because it is darker during commuting hours. It is also breeding season.
Carney said he’s always on the lookout for deer on the road.
“I always drive slowly, deer run out all the time,” Carney said.
Anyone who strikes a deer is advised to call their local police department or, if the animal is injured, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
