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Huron Expositor, 2000-11-01, Page 7News THE HURON ZXPOSITOR, Novi.w* sr 1, 2000-7 One of four collisions in county is with deer By Shelly McPhee Hoist Focus News Mogaaine Editor Be warned - one out of four motor vehicle crashes in Huron County involves deer. Cathy Paterson, of Clinton knows that deer are more than pretty animals on the side of the road. October. 1.7. 1998 was a night that Cathy Paterson of Clinton wilI,never forget. It was shortly after 8:30 p.m. :and Cathy was travelling from Seaforth to Clinton with her sister Joyce Boussey and. niece. 13 year old Collette Boussey from London. "The Lord was with .us that 'night. says Cathy when she recalls the traumatic collision ith a deer.. • • Amazingly` • the three escaped with minor injuries. after a deer, that had been. hit by an oncoming vehicle. landed on the hood of the • Paterson car. smashed through the windshield` and ploughed through the car and out the hack window. .. •'I feel very luckyto be alive. The deer came right through between us and split in two. It went thmugh tike a cannon." Cathy recalls. "We were covered in glass and deer insides." The could -have easily been killed by the accident And' were fortunate to escape ith minor injuries. Cathy still has a sore arm as a result of the deer hitting. her. and she still :has .flashbacks. never forger the taste or the smell. I'm still scared Of night driving•but I make m> self go out and I: really - watch for deer The ironic pan of the story that'on the night of. the accident Cath). her sister and niece were also watching for deer, Cath_ y's other sister had been in a collision with a deer on the same stretch of road less than two weeks before. "My sister had warned us - to watch for deer that night. I htad_S1pwed down and was' scanning -for deer. bur we never actually saw this one because it had been hit by the other car first." :This . year Huron' OPP anticipate as many as 310 motorvehicle crashes will involve deer. This figure is on the rise according to Huron. _ OPP Constable Don Shropshall :with figures at 240 Crashes in 1999'and _160 in 1998...- -"Solar. 998.•."So.far. this year we've had • 175 collisions and we expect .mother 130 between October and December." he 'said Deer Watch Preventative Measures • Stay alert - especially in the early morning, at dusk and at night. Drive a bit slower. At night, use high beams as much as possible to increase visible distance and watch for the reflection of deer eyes. if you spot a deer on the roadside, slow down and switch to low beams to reduce the chance of disorienting the deer. • Always slow down to pass the deer in case it turns abruptly into the poth of your vehicle. • Never attempt extreme maneuvers to avoid a collision. it is safer to hit the deer thon to risk o collision with another Vehicle or obstacle. • Pay attention to advance 'Deer Crossing Area' warning signs. • Use deer whistles that mount on the vehicle and emit a high frequency wave sound that scare animals away from the oncoming vehicle. • Deer often travel in groups. If a deer crosses in front of you, continue to broke as other deer will probably follow On commonly traveled routes, familiarize yourself with likely crossing areas during the daytime. Then, be especially alert at these locations during peak deer activity periods. Sarah 'Caldwell photo Deer on a Huron County read. The stretch between Seaforth and Clinton is on e of. the most dangerous noting that there are more minor : crashes that go' unreported to police.• By • studying' deer behaviour. experts have teamed ways to minimize the risk of hitting a deer with cars. Most reported wildlife/vehicle collisions happen on rural roads rather than urban roads. Wildlife/vehicle collisions frequently occur' between 5:00-8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.ni. to midnight. More collisions with wildlife happen at night than during the day. October and November tend to have the ,highest number . of collisions because fall is the mating season (deer rut) and they are migrating into their winter yarding areas. During years; when the deer population increases. the risk of collisions with deer increases. - • " - Crashes can also - be caused when people aim to avoid the deer. swerve andhit railings on the side of the road or go into the ditch: Constable Shropshall says that in Huron County areas , where deer' are. most frequently seen on roads include the Holmesville arca. Highway 8 from Clinton and S-eaf9111 Auburn ;and Dungannon area and the Brussels•and Hensall areas. • While north Lambton County also experiences a high number of deer/vehicle collisions: in ' contrast neighbouring Perth County reported less than. , f 2 accidents of this nature last Year.' Deer collisions are a unique problem in Huron County because thearea has more square kilometres of natural deer habitat than most other areas: noted Marguerite Thomas of the Huron County Health Unita Huron OPP are now sharing Their information with other problem areas including the state of Minnesota and an ' area in Atlantic Canada. A public media campaign is now under way to advice • people of. the dangers of deer collisions. _. • Constable Shropshall advises people to "scan the road. concentrate on your driving. keep your eyes on the road. particularl\ in the early morning and at dusk when the deer are moving to their feeding areas." While Huron County residents are being warned about deer there is a concern that travellers who may he passing. through Huron County _may not he awarci.of the danger. • • • (For. more preventative measures. see 'sidebar) • - - Installingdeer whistles on your vehicle is also helpful. hut the are not a`100 percent -safeguard. Constahle Shropsh'ali noted that all Huron OPP cruisers been outfitted lvith the whistles. "Deer. whistles will work on your vehicle as long as the deer -are in front of you. If deer are on the road and hear the whistle they will move" :out, of the way: Hou.e•.cr. t the deer are coming acros. -the road from the ditch. thet won't pick up the 'ourtd.•', he said: • Deer whistles can he purchased at most department and hardware•storcs-in it�c cou,'tr — They are inexpensive and easy to install. • People should .also pa.v attention to deer crossing signs on the side of the mad as •a warntne that deer frequent the designated arca. . 'There are some areas that are really heavy with.dcerand those signs are there." Constable Shropshall said. Constable Shropshall that all deer collisions: knell minor ones. he reported to the OPP so that they can keep an accurate record :of the Statistics. •. Information about Deer Watch is being promoted i the motor-vehicic occupant safety sub. -committee 01 Safety First Huron :Perth. formerly known as The Huron Perth Injury Prevention Committee. For the past five year. Safety first Huron Perth has been dedicated to the message that nasi injuries are predictable tnd preventable. The stomp Jiicuses 00 1011r main arca. - motor vehicle oceunant ,ai c,, . hii;vcle safety. fall, in \cnei,. Church Services You we invited to attend these area churches First Presbyterian Church GWencn St W. Seatunn Rev. Vandermey WORSHIP SUNDAY 11:15 AM Sunday School during Worship ,St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 SUNDAY, NOV. 5th Remembrance Sunday Service of Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. Catholic Church Saturday • 5:15 pm St. James Parish, Seaforth Saturday . 7:15 pm St. Joseph's Pansh, Clinton Sunday • 9:00 am St. Michael's Pansh, Blyth Sunday - 11:00 am St. James Parish, Seaforth Father Dino Salvador Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth Sunday Worship Hour 11 AM Wednesday 7 PM Adventure Club for Klds Youth Groupe 9 45 Sunday School Pastor Rev. Doug Corrrveau 527.0982 Egmondville United Church Rev. Judith Spnngett Worship at 11 a.m. Sunday School Grades 2 10 8 10 a.m. Nursery to Grade 1 11 a.m. NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES ' Rev. Sheila Macgregor - Minister SUNDAY, NOV. 5th Remembrance Day Service 9:30 a.m. Cavan 11 a.m. Northside St. Marys Children's Choir 3:00 PM ALL WELCOMEI and farm safety. Members include the District Health Council, Huron County Health Unit; Perth District Health ljnit, Ontario Provincial Police, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Farm Safety groups, health care workers, community agencies and volunteers. This group works to promote injury prevention at home, at work and at play. Information assistance with this campaign was provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Clinton office. For.further information contact Constable Don Shropshall, Community Relations Officer at 524-8314. 'or the Huron County Health SJnit at 482-3416. "KeepLIN on County Council" sponsored by the Committee to elect LIN STEFFLER MAYOR HURON EAST MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST 2000 MUNICIPAL ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the municipal electors of the former municipalities of Brussels, Grey, McKillop, Seaforth & Tuckersmith, in the County of Huron that in compliance with the Municipal Elections Act a ballot will be held on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH. 200Q for the offices of: Mayon- one (1) to be elected by all Wards Deputy Mayor - one (1) to be elected by all Wards Brussels Ward Councillor - two (2) to be elected Grey Ward Councillor - two (2) to be elected Seaforth Ward Councillor - two (2) to be elected Tuckersmith Ward Councillor - two (2) to be elected English Language Public School Trustee (Avon -Maitland District School Board) - one (1) to be elected by English Public School electors in the former Brussels and Grey Wards. The voting places will be open from 10 -o'clock in the morning and will close at 8 p.m. in the evening at the following locations: Brussels Ward Poll #1 Comprising all properties in the Village of Brussels • , Grey Ward Poll #1 Poll #2 • Concession 1 to 4 inclusive, All Lots Concession 5 to 8 inclusive, All Lots Concession 9 Lots 11 to 35 inclusive Voting Place Brussels Morris Grey Community Centre Voting Place • Ethel Community Centre, Ethel Community Centre . Poll #3 . Concession 9 to 18 inclusive, Lots 1 to 10 Brussels Morris Grey (except the Village of Brussels) Community Centre Poll #4 Concession 10 to 18 inclusive, Lots 11 to 35 Cranbrook Community McKillop Ward All Polls Entire Township of McKillop • Seaforth Ward . All Polls Entire Town of Seaforth • • Tuckersmith Ward' Poll #1 Lots 1 to 9 inclusive, Concessional HRS Lots 1 to'10 inclusive, Concession 2 HRS Lots 1 to 10 inclusive, Concession 3 HRS All that portion.of Egmondville east of Centre Street Poll #2 •Lots 12 to 20 inclusive, Concession 1 HRS Egrnondville United Church Lots 11 to 15 inclusive, Concession 2 HRS • . Lots 11 to 15 inclusive, Concession 3 HRS All that portion of Egmondville west of Centre Street Poll #3 • Lots 26 to 40 inclusive, Concession 1 LRS Brucefield United Church 'Lots 26 to 40 igtclusive, Concession 2 LRS • Lots 26 to 40 inclusive, Concession 3 LRS • Lots 26 to 32 inclusive, Concession 4 LRS All lots on Concessions 5, 6 and 7 LRS Lots 21 to 30 inclusive, Concession 1 HRS Lots 16 to 30 inclusive, Concession 2 HRS Lots 16 to 30 inclusive, Concession 3 HRS Lots 21 to 26 inclusive, Concession 4 HRS Lots 21 to 24 inclusive, Concession 5 HRS Lots 1 to 25 inclusive, Concession 1 LRS Tuckersmith Communications Lots 1 to 25 inclusive, Concession 2 LRS Lots 1 to 25 inclusive, Concession 3 LRS Lots 15 to 25 inclusive, Concession 4 LRS All Lots on Concessions 6 to 15 HRS inclusive Lots 1 to 14 inclusive, Concession 4 HRS Lots 1 to 14 inclusive, Concession 5 HRS Poll #5 All Lots on Concessions 1, 2 and 3 LES Huronview North of Lot 40 Huronvievb (County Home) All Lots on Concessions 1, 2 and 3 HRS West of Lot 30 All of Registered Plans 131 and 133 Vanastra Recreation Centre known as Vanastra • DATE LOCATION TIME . Saturday November 4th, 2000 • Brussels St Grey Wards "• • Brussels Moms Grey Cotnmtwty Centre 10 am to 6 pm McKillop, Seaforth Seaforth Municipal Office 10 am to 6 pm Tuckersmith Ward ADVANCE POLLS WILL BE HELD ON: Advanced Voting will be held for the purpose of receiving the votes of electors who expect to be unable to vote on the regular Voting Day. PROXY VOTING A certificate to vote by proxy may be obtained at the Office of the Clerk, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 4th, 2000 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The last day for making application to the Clerk for a certificate to vote by proxy is 5:00 p.m. November 13th, 2000. Voting Place ,McKillop Township Work Centre Voting Place Northside United Church • Voting Place Egmondville United Church Poll #4 Poll #6 J.R. McLachlan Returning Officer - 2000 Election Municipality of Huron East