In 2011, the Times, a newspaper in Munster, Indiana, published a letter to the editor asking for a "deer crossing" sign to be moved to an area with less traffic. At the sign's current location, too many deer were being struck by vehicles, the writer said.
The letter became the laughing stock of the nation, as it was spread by everyone from ordinary people on social media to Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."
The humor, of course, derives from the fact such signs are placed where deer tend to cross, not where humans permit them to cross.
As deer mating season starts, there's a lesson to be learned: Use extra caution, especially in known deer zones.
Last year, drivers in Missouri experienced 4,604 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. That adds up to one deer strike every two hours. In these crashes there were six fatalities and 455 people injured, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The largest number of deer strike crashes occur in November each year; and although they can occur at any time, most occur between 5 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
Deer tend to travel in herds, and not always in rural areas, the patrol advises. So when you see one, look out for more.
Deer behavior changes due to mating season, which may cause an increase in sightings and roadway crossings. Hunting and crop harvesting also might result in these animals being in places they aren't usually seen.
State Farm estimates Missouri drivers are about 4.5 percent more likely to collide with a deer over the next 12 months, compared with the previous year.
Missouri has a higher number of deer collisions than the average state, and the average cost per insurance claim is $4,179.
So minimize the chance for danger and repair costs by being alert, slowing down and turning on your high beams at night when you can. If you do see a deer, brake but avoid swerving outside your lane, as swerving causes many of the crashes.
If you do hit a deer, pull over to a safe spot, call the police and document the incident with photos, State Farm advises.
With a little awareness and caution, motorists won't look like a proverbial deer in headlights when they come across a deer - and hopefully the result will be fewer wrecks.
News Tribune