Wood County ranks 24th in state for deer-auto crashes

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Wood County ranks near the top quarter of Ohio counties for deer crashes, according to the Ohio
Department of Transportation.The statistics were released Monday to coincide with the start of gun season
for deer hunting.According to ODOT statistics, Wood County had 311 vehicle-deer crashes in 2012, ranking
24th overall. Stark County, in eastern Ohio, had the most, with 558 crashes.Monroe County, in southeast
Ohio, had the fewest, with 15 crashes in 2012.Of other Northwest Ohio counties, only Lucas County (ranked
19th with 329 crashes) and Hancock County (ranked 13th with 379 crashes) had more deer crashes.Nearly 21,000
vehicle crashes involving deer took place in Ohio in 2012, resulting in six fatalities and 1,013 injuries.
An untold number of additional deer-vehicle crashes go unreported to law enforcement, according to an ODOT
press release."Increased deer movement typically begins around the start of fall and continues past
hunting season," said Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray in the release. "The
result can mean more deer on our highways and more crashes with vehicles."ODOT advises motorists to use
these safe driving tips to help avoid collisions with deer:• See the signs – deer-crossing signs are posted
in higher-risk areas. Drive with caution, especially in the posted areas.• Deer don’t roam alone – deer
often run together. If you see one deer near or crossing the road, expect others to follow.• Danger from
dusk to dawn: watch for deer especially at dawn and around sunset. About 20 percent of the collisions occur
in early morning, while more than half occur between 5 p.m. and midnight.If a vehicle strikes a deer,
motorists should report the crash to local law enforcement, the sheriff’s office, the Ohio State Highway
Patrol, or the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.For the full map of deer-vehicle crashes by county,
visit www.dot.state.oh.us/news/Pages/2012-Deer-Crash.aspx.

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