It's not a stretch to think that most drivers in Texas have personally been involved in accidents with deer or other animals or at least know other drivers who have. Wildlife abounds here, and unfortunately sometimes animals get out onto the roads and into the path of vehicles and cause car accidents. This is obviously dangerous not just for the animals but for drivers. However, in most cases, there's no real way to control this problem.
That's what makes it all the harder to understand when a situation created by people exacerbates the danger for both people and animals. Construction near Katy has impacted an area that is the home to several white-tailed deer, shrinking the wooded area where they live to tiny proportions -- and right by a busy road. This has caused several accidents between deer and vehicles, including some gruesome ones right in front of several businesses and witnesses.
It seems as though all parties are trying to avoid responsibility for the deer. The construction companies haven't found a home for them; the state Parks and Wildlife department says it doesn't relocate deer and that populations are too high anyway, and as sad as the situation is, its hands are tied.
So far there haven't been any serious accidents that have injured people, but as the animals' home has shrunk from about 60 acres to around 10, they are becoming increasingly bewildered and a danger to motorists in the area as they could dart out into traffic at any time. Hopefully the problem will be resolved before a serious accident occurs.
Source: KTRK-TV, "Katy construction sparks concern about wild animals' safety," Deborah Wrigley, March 21, 2013
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