Kansas Deer meets Truck

It is that time of year again when deer start popping up on the side of the road especially here in Kansas. The expression... Deer in the Headlights... really made sense to me a few weeks ago. I was traveling down Highway 4 in Kansas just past dusk when I saw movement in the ditch and I slowed to about 20 mph. I saw two deer but they turned to go away from the road into the pasture and I thought I was in the clear and so I started to speed back up but at the last moment they bolted right into the road. I slammed on the brakes and I screamed "MOVE" (which now as an afterthought sounds ridiculous because I'm sure they didn't hear me) but the poor thing just stood there with the Deer in the Headlights look and frozen in time. I couldn't stop fast enough and then...there it was... I heard the dreaded sound....K-Thud.

After a second when I felt my heart restart I quickly turned on my flashers and jumped out to survey the scene. As I begin to search around I realized my truck was fine and no deer in sight. I must have clipped it. At this point I was beginning to wonder if I had dreamed the whole thing. I was in a hilly area on narrow roads so I had to get going before someone came over the hill and clipped me. Later when I reached my Dad's farm and told him the story I realized it sounded outrageous since there was no damage and other than the fact that I was still trying to catch my breath there was no evidence of the K-Thud incident where Deer had met Truck. Then my Dad reached up on my truck headline and pulled the deer hairs off. I have to admit I felt relief knowing there was evidence of my near miss.

In 2008, 9,371 deer-vehicle collisions were reported to the Kansas Department of Transportation and deer-vehicle collisions were reported in every county in the state. More details, including a map showing all accidents and deer accidents by county, may be found at the KDOT website, www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/prodinfo/2008factsbook/Deer.pdf

The statistics show that this time of year is when the most accidents occur. So be vigilant and watch the side ditches especially at dawn and dusk. Flashing your brights may help if you see them but remember they don't travel alone so watch for others even if you think you are in the clear. And I hope none of you hear the K-Thud.