Don't veer for deer!

Heads up for Michigan's road runners

Look out for deer when you’re driving this fall. Don’t be one of the 134 drivers who collide with deer each day across Michigan.

And don’t think you’re not at risk because you stick to urban roadways. All parts of Michigan are affected. In 2012, for example, Oakland County recorded the highest number of deer-vehicle crashes with 1,683.

Following Oakland County were Kent with 1,572 crashes; Jackson, 1,281; Montcalm,  1,182; and Lapeer, 1,175. A vehicle-deer crash occurred, on average, every 9.5 minutes in the state, resulting in eight fatalities and 1,329 injuries.

Although the number of deer-vehicle crashes in Michigan was down from nearly 54,000 reported in 2011 to almost 49,000 in 2012, motorists should still be vigilant. If a crash with a deer is unavoidable, you should: Stay in your lane Avoid swerving Brake firmly Hold on to the steering wheel Come to a controlled stop Get your vehicle off the roadway Call police if the crash is on the road and resulted in death, injury or property damage of $1,000 or more Contact police or Department of Natural Resources conservation officers to issue you a permit if you want to keep the deer

Setting the PACE for other DMVs

The Michigan Department of State recently earned two 2013 Public Affairs and Consumer Education (PACE) Awards in an annual competition held by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) that recognizes “public relations, public affairs and consumer education excellence among the motor vehicle, law enforcement and traffic safety agencies across North America.”

The department achieved the highest score in the Writing/Media Relations Division with its entry featuring the “Pure Michigan and Mackinac Bridge License Plates Announcement.” It also had the top score in the Special Events Division for its entry featuring “Michigan Organ Donor Registry: Join the Team.” The department finished ahead of DMV agencies from across the U.S. and Canada, and was the only multiple-award winner in the competition, taking two of the seven overall division awards!

Organ donor signups: 3-year difference

Register by Oct. 7

It's not too late to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election. The last day to do so is Oct. 7. Click for more info.

MBO at Belle Isle Event

The Secretary of State Mobile Office will help register voters at a nonpartisan event on Belle Isle, Saturday, Oct. 5. The free event at the Bandshell runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes musical acts and speakers.

The Mobile Office will be open from noon to 4 p.m. registering people to vote and helping visitors take care of all other services available at a standard branch office.

SOS at MADD walk

Secretary Ruth Johnson kicked off the Walk Like MADD event in Lake Orion's Canterbury Village on Sept. 28. She's shown here with Bob Willett of Waterford, his granddaughter (far left) Delana Willett and his goddaughter Brook-Lynn Rudolph. 

The walk is to raise awareness about the need to eliminate drunk driving, prevent underage drinking and serve victims.

Help your neighbors!

The Harvest Gathering food collection campaign is underway and we’re just waiting for the first donation numbers to come in. As a reminder, you can drop off food donations at any Secretary of State office now through Nov. 27.

You’re also encouraged to make a financial donation at www.feedmichigan.org. Every dollar you give supplies five meals to families in your community. Help out your neighbors: Donate to the Michigan Harvest Gathering today!

Brand new driver

During branch office visits on Sept. 26, Secretary Johnson congratulated Kayla Kohn and her mom on Kayla receiving her first learner's permit in Big Rapids.