KEYC - Mankato News, Weather, Sports - - Safety Officials are Encouraging Motorists to be on the Lookout

Safety Officials are Encouraging Motorists to be on the Lookout for Deer

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By Brittany Larson, News Reporter - email

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Firearms deer hunting season opens this weekend and safety officials are encouraging drivers to stay alert and slow down.

Since there are fewer crops in the field, it could be the reason why more deer are crossing area roadways.

At the Mankato Ford body shop in recent weeks they've seen triple the amount of cars needing repair work from deer accidents compared to last year at this time.

Body Shop manager, Keith Danberry says, "Seen a lot of deer hits in the last two or three weeks with $1,200 to $14,000 in damage. One is a total loss where a deer went through the windshield."

Safety officials are encouraging motorists to be on the lookout, especially this weekend.
And if you see a deer, expect another one to follow.
 
Patrol Officer, Brad Schultz says, "An average animal will do a lot of damage to a vehicle on impact. We want people to be buckled up and make sure that they reduce speeds during those prime times, which is early morning hours and evening."

This year Danberry says there have been about four total losses. He usually sees more headlight damage.

Danberry says, " A deer hit on the side, took out a headlight grill, bummer cover, headlight cracked on the side and the bummer cover pulled out from the fender."

Officer Schultz says last year around 500,000 hunters went to the woods, which causes a big push for the animals to cross roadways. Another reason to slow down, and stay alert.