To the editor:
Hunting is upon us again! Bow-and-arrow season has been extend by three weeks and it starts Sept. 9.
Bow and arrow hunting is silent and cryptic by nature. While we are still under day light savings time, hunters will be out during rush hour, which leads into dusk when people are still coming home from work.
It is especially dangerous now during hunting season, when deer tend to run out onto the road in a panic.
The deer are running for their lives, only to meet their demise with an automobile because there is no place to go for safety. The majority of the accidents between automobile and wildlife tend to occur during hunting season.
Knowing this, drivers need to operate their vehicles with caution. This may mean one should not only slow down especially off major highways, but also deliberately look for deer.
Scan the road back and forth continually, looking for movement where roads are bordered by fields or natural habitat. If you see one deer cross the road, expect to see others.
Based on a self-study of comprehensive losses, Erie Insurance of Pennsylvania found that the number of auto/deer collisions rose nearly five times on the first day of buck season and doe season. Erie Insurance Group is the 12th largest insurer of private passenger automobiles in the country.
Twilight is another crucial time where accidents between automobile and wildlife tend to occur. Dusk and dawn is when most people are in a hurry to get to or from work and when deer are the most active.
The animals do not know the difference between daylight savings time and standard time. Switching back to standard time in October will be confusing to them.
October also starts shot gun and firearm season. For these reasons, many deer are killed by auto accidents.
In addition, in November, during the "rut" or breeding season, deer are extremely active and somewhat less attentive to potential hazards. They move around more, which puts the lives of the deer and the lives of the people in automobiles at risk.
The combination of active deer and driving in a hurry increases the risk for fatal auto/deer accidents. Taking the time to slow down during dusk and dawn protects both the animals and the occupants of the vehicle.
It is just common sense, but it can help save lives. No matter how slow we think we are driving, if we are not watching out for the deer, we will hit them.
Many of us do not realize that the Duke Estates is a wildlife preserve. This wildlife preserve was left by Doris Duke, for the animals to keep them protected.
Dukes Parkway is too often used to get away from traveling the forever congested Route 206. Once again, be more considerate, drive with caution and reduced speed
Give all the animals a brake! Drive carefully.?
Rose Reina-Rosenbaum
Peterson Road
Neshanic Station
