IT’S DEER MATING SEASON AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS URGING DRIVERS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL. 

DEER ARE MORE ACTIVE THIS TIME OF YEAR, ESPECIALLY AT DUSK AND DAWN SAYS I-DOT SPOKESPERSON PAUL WAPPEL.

LAST YEAR IN ILLINOIS, THERE WERE MORE THAN 14-THOUSAND REPORTED DEER-VEHICLE CRASHES, WITH MOST RESULTING IN DAMAGE. THE TOP COUNTIES FOR ACCIDENTS IN 2021 WERE COOK, MADISON, WILL, SANGAMON AND PEORIA.

WAPPEL SAYS IF YOU DO HIT A DEER, PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER, TURN ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS AND CALL 9-1-1 TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. INFORMATION ABOUT CLAIMING A DEER KILLED IN A CRASH IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: DNR DOT ILLINOIS DOT GOV.