It’s that time of year where deer (and other animals) are roaming and can create a hazard to drivers. It is sadly a common occurrance that deer run or jump in front of cars on our roadways, causing accidents and creating a lot of damage. Deer tend to be out and about more from Fall into Winter.
Unfortunately, most animals hit by moving vehicles do not survive the accident. And this type of accident can cause a lot of damage to vehicles as well as posing a threat to the physical safety of drivers, passengers and even other cars in the event of swerving into an oncoming or adjacent lane.
Larger animal collisions such as with a deer can cause major body damage to your vehicle, depending on the size of the animal, the speed of the car or truck at impact, and whether or not the vehicle ended up running off the road or into another vehicle sharing the road.
To avoid accidents involving the deer population, here are a few guidelines that are just common sense:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Wooded areas or areas near lakes are streams are common places where deer congregate. Pay attention to “deer crossing” signs. Be watchful of the sides of the roads.
- Know that if you see one deer, there is likely 2-4 more with it. If one deer crosses the roadway, assume there are several others about to follow right after. Be cautious!
- Exercise smart use of headlights at night. Deer tend to freeze or stare into lights; hence the phrase “like a deer in the headlights.” If you see a deer at night, flash the brights several times; flashing lights often spur deer to turn and run.
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