Whereas, Car-deer crashes are a year-round problem deserving motorist attention by watching for the nearly two million deer that inhabit the State of Michigan; and,

Whereas, On average in Michigan, there is a car-deer crash every eight minutes; and,

Whereas, In 2003, there were 67,760 car-deer crashes reported in our state, constituting a threat to the health and safety of the motoring public; and,

Whereas, In 2003, 11 motorists were killed, and 1,913 were injured as a result of car-deer crashes; and,

Whereas, Car-deer crashes are costly to Michigan drivers, averaging $2,000 per insurance claim and more than $130,000 million repair claims paid out statewide; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working to keep the deer population within limits dictated by the carrying capacity of the range and by its effect on native plane communities, agriculture, horticulture, forest crops, and public safety; and.

Whereas, The Michigan Deer Coalition has expanded its public information campaign to increase motorist awareness, including new public service announcements for radio and development of a web-site; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2004, as Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month throughout our State and I encourage all citizens to drive cautiously and be aware of the possibility of deer crossing the roadways.