Catchfence

(Nov. 1, 2011)- As a professional race car driver in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, Cory Joyce makes his living going fast-but only on the racetrack. Joyce knows that being a great driver on the road means slowing down to keep people and animals safe. It’s especially true this time of year when wildlife is on the move, and fewer hours of daylight make it harder to see them.

So Joyce is teaming up with The Humane Society of the United States during Give Wildlife a Brake Week, Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, and is asking all drivers to slow down and be observant.

“In a race, the goal is to get to the finish line ahead of everyone else,” Joyce said. “On the road, if you get there safely, without harming any animals, you win. I know how hard it is to have total control of a car at high speeds, and a deer or other animal can dart into the road in a split second. Even an experienced driver can have a deadly collision with an animal.”

Vehicle-animal collisions can cause injury, death and car damage, and October through December is the worst time of year in many states for run-ins with deer.

“Fall is the mating season for deer, elk and moose,” said Susan Hagood, wildlife issues specialist for The HSUS. “They’ll cross any road or highway in search of a mate. Unfortunately, what they often find instead is a deadly accident.”

Joyce and The HSUS recommend that drivers slow down and watch for wildlife in and near the road, particularly at dawn, dusk and the first few hours after it gets dark. If you see an animal, assume there are others nearby. Using high beams and flashing headlights may help if a deer is literally frozen in the road staring at your car.

About The HSUS

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty – On the Web at humanesociety.org. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals work on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “HumaneTV” app.

About Cory Joyce:

Cory Joyce is a 19-year-old driver originally from Gilford, N.H. After a successful career in go karts, Joyce and his family moved to Mooresville, N.C., to progress the Cory Joyce Racing program. Joyce earned 2009 Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Limited Late Model Division at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. Since then, Joyce has continued to move forward with his stock car racing career, making select Late Model Stock appearances along the East Coast. Beyond 2011, Joyce is working towards his next step into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. For more about Cory Joyce, visit coryjoyce.com.