Farm equipment could scare deer into roads

Drivers should keep in mind that deer may be scared into roads by farm equipment.
Drivers should keep in mind that deer may be scared into roads by farm equipment.
Along with keeping an eye out for farm equipment itself, two departments in Minnesota are reminding motorists that harvest season may be a time when more deer are out and about.

The state's Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Department of Natural Resources recently noted that this time a year marks an increase in activity for the deer population because of the fact that it is mating season for the animals. Furthermore, deer may be more active because of being scared out of fields where farm equipment is being used.

In order to be prepared for deer, motorists should drive at safe speeds and should slow down when driving next to fields where farm equipment is being used. Furthermore, drivers are advised not to swerve in order to avoid a deer, as this can cause them to lose control of their vehicles.

"The best defense is to be buckled and brake," Cheri Marti, director of DPS Office of Traffic Safety, said.

Along with watching out for deer, motorists should keep an eye out for farm equipment making its way on rural roads. When encountering farm equipment, drivers should slow down and pass only when doing so is safe. Motorists should also be aware that farm equipment generally takes wider turns than other pieces of machinery.
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