Whereas, In Michigan, there is a car-deer crash approximately every nine minutes; and,

Whereas, In 2008, there were 61,010 car-deer crashes reported in our state, constituting a threat to the health and safety of the motoring public; and,

Whereas, Last year, 12 motorists were killed and 1,648 injured as the result of car-deer crashes; and,

Whereas, Car-deer crashes are costly to Michigan drivers.  In 2008, each insurance claim averaged $2,100, and more than $130 million repair claims were paid out statewide; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working to keep the deer population in balance in order to protect Michigan's wildlife but also to protect the residents of this state;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2009 Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month in Michigan. I encourage all residents of this state to drive cautiously and be aware of the possibility of deer crossing the roadways.