Knowing what to do when you encounter a large animal on or near a roadway can not only prevent damage to your vehicle, it could be a lifesaver. Keeping calm, driving alert, and smart greatly improves your chances of avoiding a collision and staying safe on the road.
Watch for the rest of the pack. Deer are herd animals and rarely travel alone. If you spot a deer on or near the road, chances are there are more nearby. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer that could dart across the road.
Don’t let “the rut” put you in a rut. October through January is mating season for deer, they become much more mobile during this season looking for mates. Also, deer are most active at dawn and dusk; periods when your vision is most compromised. Slow down and stay alert, especially after dark.
Use your headlights. Watch for road signs that indicate a high-traffic deer area. The sign is a yellow diamond with a deer on it. Also, deer’s eyes will reflect green from the headlights in the dark, making them easier to spot. And for white-tailed deer, it looks like a white flag raised when they are moving on alert.
Stay center. On multi-lane roads, use the center lane, it’s your safest bet for avoiding a deer collision. On rural roads stay near the center line unless passing an oncoming car. Staying in the center gives you more time to react if a deer darts in front of you.
Brake, but don’t swerve. If you see a deer brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane. Swerving could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and make a bad situation worse. Remember, deer are unpredictable, you could swerve directly into their changing path.
Honk, loud, and long. Some experts say a long blast from your horn will scare the deer and cause them to move away from the sound (This is not a proven theory but sounds practical). Don’t rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer- studies have shown them to be largely ineffective in preventing deer collisions.
What to do if you hit a deer:
Pull to the side of the road as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Turn on your hazard lights and remain in the vehicle till you’re sure it is safe to get out.
Call emergency services if injuries are involved and the local police for property damage. Let authorities know if the deer is in a dangerous spot on the road so it can be removed ASAP.
Stay away from the deer. If it is still alive, it could be confused, injured, and dangerous if approached.
Contact your insurance provider and report any damage to your vehicle ASAP.
