According to a report by ABC TV two weeks ago the number of car accidents involving deer are causing more and more injuries and deaths of motorists. In fact, the news report went on to state that more than 4,000 times a day, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorists collide with deer.

Four thousand times a day! The impact for just a vehicle with these animals is significant. (Ever see the front end of a car after a collision even with the smaller deer we have in Suffolk? Not pretty.)

Now, think of the impact for a vehicle towing a boat, does that paint a mental image of pure disaster for you? It does me.

According to ALLSTATE’s Web site addressing boat insurance (www.allstate.com) 72.2 million people participate in recreational boating each year. Of this group a large number trailer their boats to and from the water, often finding a nice comfortable spot behind their home to &uot;moor&uot; the vessel.

Now, consider what will happen if a vehicle is towing a boat and it strikes a deer, either head on, or on the side? The result can be devastating as the driver will be placed in a very difficult position trying to control the vehicle and the trailer (with or without a boat).

The problem is compounded because many boaters use trailers, without understanding that they are often loaded or operated incorrectly.

There are some simple steps you can take to help you have the best possible control over your vehicle and trailer with or without a boat in it. Consider the following:

Perhaps the biggest problem with boats being hauled by a connected trailer is that the boat itself is weighted down with gear and equipment. Many recreational boaters do not realize that each trailer has a specifically set weight rating. If that weight limit is exceeded the boat becomes top heavy and is very difficult to control.

This is especially true if one end of a boat, sitting in a trailer, is weighted down. The resulting instability and force, when compound with the impact on an animal can spell real trouble. Solution: follow the load guidelines to the letter!

Second, consider some of the recommendations on trailer use from the U.S. Coast Guard, found at www.uscgboating.org/safety/metlife/boat_trailer.htm.

Simple suggestions such as; allowing more time to brake, accelerate, pass, and stop; remembering the turning radius with a trailer is also much greater and that curbs and roadside barriers must be given a wide berth when negotiating corners.

In each of these cases add in the possibility of a strike on a deer, or an avoidance maneuver on a deer and you can again see the compounding of problems! This is especially the case when additional speed is added into a problem, speed will compound your reaction times and ability to avoid a strike

Third, and this is a biggie if you are planning to trailer your boat, prior to getting out on the

open road with your new 4×4 and trailer find an open parking lot – such as Target’s or Wal-Mart’s. Actually practice starting, stopping, turning, backing up, etc.

The wider the parking lot the better.

Finally, actually take a second to think through how you would react if you encounter a deer while trailering your boat.

Remember the effects of speed, time required to slow and your ability to control your vehicle.

As the nights get longer make sure you keep a sharp eye for deer, the added challenge of driving with a trailer and boat during these cold winter months require all of us to slow down, and be more deliberate.

Until next week, boat safe and boat smart!