The Pembina Valley remains one of the top regions in Manitoba for vehicle/deer collisions.

Manitoba Public Insurance each year releases the rankings of the five worst regions in the province for these types of collisions. Based on statistics collected from 2014 to 2018, MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley says on average there were nearly 8,000 collisions annually and about 1,840 happening in the Eastman region. The province's top five regions are:

1) Eastman - 1,840 collisions annually2) Westman - 1,765 collisions annually3) Interlake - 1,325 collisions annually4) Central Plains - 735 collisions annually5) Pembina Valley - 715 collisions annually

The Eastman region consists of communities such as Steinbach, Lac du Bonnet, Anola, Birds Hill Park and Falcon Lake. Smiley suggests some reasons why this region is so bad is because of its high deer population, as well as all of the bush area and fields.

Smiley says we are now in the worst time of year for these types of collisions. He notes October and November see the highest rate of crashes because it is rutting season which causes the animals to move from one area to another.

"They are transient," says Smiley. "So as they are moving from territory to territory, unfortunately they are crossing roadways."

MPI is offering several tips to avoid striking wildlife while driving. It says you should slow down when you see wildlife crossing signs and drive with extreme caution, scanning the road ahead as well as shoulders and ditches.

Also, animals are normally more active at dawn, dusk and at night and motorists should be especially alert where brush and tall grass grow near the road.

"The animals typically hang out around the shoulders on the ditches," says Smiley. "And if you see one crossing, very typically two or three may be crossing behind them."

Smiley says you should also watch for the reflection of headlights in the eyes of deer, or a dark silhouette. And he encourages passengers to also be scanning for eye glare.

If an animal should cross your path, Smiley says the best advice for a motorist is to apply your brakes, keep both hands on the steering wheel and drive through the animal.

"You do not want to swerve," he says. "Swerving can potentially bring your vehicle into contact with vehicles from the oncoming lanes, potentially a very fatal situation."

According to MPI, on average, about 400 people are injured in wildlife-related collisions annually. Over the last ten years, six people in Manitoba have been killed in crashes caused by an animal on a road.

Overall, Manitobans are involved in more than 11,000 vehicle-wildlife collisions annually, costing MPI between $20-25 million each year.