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Illinois Reports Fewer Car-Deer Crashes in 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Hundreds of fewer deer-vehicle crashes happened in Illinois last year.

The Illinois Department of Transportation yesterday released statistics showing there were 814 fewer crashes between vehicles and deer in 2008 than there were in 2007. There were 24,212 deer-vehicle crashes reported in 2008 in Illinois. The department also says fewer motorists were injured in the crashes - 758 in 2008 compared with 843 in 2007.

Peoria County had the second most crashes involving deer in the state with 642. Fulton County's 431 was the tenth highest number in Illinois.

The numbers show 14 motorists were hurt in vehicle-deer crashes in Knox County, the highest total in the immediate area. Fulton County was next with 11 motorist hurt - followed by nine in Warren County, seven in McDonough, and five in Henderson County.

Two motorists died in accidents with deer on the state's highways. The fatalities occurred in Kane and St. Clair counties.

The state transportation department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources say motorists should be aware that deer are more active during the fall and during the dawn and dusk hours. Officials say motorists should wear their seat belts and be alert to deer on the roads.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. WGIL News contributed to this report.)
10 15 09 by Newsroom
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