Governor John Engler has issued an executive declaration making October Michigan Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month. The Coalition began its awareness campaign in 1996. Since that time, the number of crashes has declined steadily, down 6 percent. Despite these encouraging signs, the number of injuries has risen. Michigan has the dubious distinction of having the most vehicle-deer accidents in the nation, with over 65,000 in 1998.
Fatalities are rare, with only four reported last year, but injuries occur more frequently.
Approximately 2,300 people were injured during 1998-99. The Department of Natural Resources is taking measures to help stem the number of accidents. A change in the Michigan hunting laws allows the unlimited taking of antler-less deer, which Borgeon said is an important step in accident reduction. Steve Youngstis, representing the Michigan Automobile Insurance Association, recounted his own accident involving a deer. Police later determined that a deer had tried to leap over the car Youngstis was driving.