Driver alert for deer this time of year

The SPCA for Monterey County is warning drivers that now is the time to use extreme caution to avoid hitting deer on area roadways at this time of year. September, October, and November is deer mating season on the Central Coast and deer are likely to be on the move near and across roadways.

Central Coast areas of greatest concern at night are Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley Road, the Highway 68 corridor, Holman Highway, River Road, and Highway 1 from Seaside to south of Carmel.

Dawn Fenton with the SPCA for Monterey County says, “So far this year, The SPCA has responded to 37 reports of deer being hit by cars, with almost all the deer involved either dead on arrival or needing to be humanely euthanized immediately.”

The average insurance claim for deer/vehicle collisions in the United States is $3,900 per incident.

Specifically the SPCA advises:

Be particularly careful at dawn and dusk when driving, especially where visibility is limited. Use of high beams when appropriate can provide a greater area of visibility.

Slow down and use extreme caution when approaching a deer standing near the side of a road. Be prepared for the deer to enter the roadway in front of the vehicle. If necessary, honk your horn and flash your lights to try to scare the deer off of the roadway.

Be alert for more deer than you may see at that moment. Where there’s one deer, there are often more nearby.

Use extra caution in areas where deer crossing signs are posted. These are areas where deer are known to cross roadways.

Be particularly cautious in wooded and agricultural areas.

Call The SPCA immediately if you see any injured or orphaned wildlife.