When driving in the fall or winter, you need to be particularly alert, as deer … Honk the horn. Here’s how to be prepared—just in case. 6. Deer do get startled when they’re suddenly caught in the beam of headlights, but in most cases, this happens when they’re stationary in the roadway. Deer tend to travel in packs – so if you see one deer, slow down and … 6 Tips for Driving During Deer Season. Be alert. It alerts you to slow down and watch for wild animals crossing the road. Take a moment to get familiar with some tips to avoid a deer-related collision. Here are a few tips on what to do if large animals, such as deer, unexpectedly appear in front of the vehicle you are driving. Use extra caution during peak deer hours. The best thing to do is drive defensively in the first place and go slowly enough that you won't collide with a moose and can brake in time. Slow down and stay alert, especially after dark. If you can only see one deer, chances are that there are two or three more in the woods, and if one runs, they all will. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot that we can do to prevent collisions, particularly at night, on dark roads, when deer are almost impossible to see until their silhouette gets painted by our headlights. Read these quick reminders and safety tips for what to do when driving and you encounter a school bus on the road. Here’s our tally of the fastest and slowest states in the country. Honk! Consequently, one of the best things that we can all do is to take our foot off the gas when we’re driving in areas that have deer. If you see a deer on the road, use your horn or your brakes, but don’t swerve out of your lane to avoid the animal. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage included in your auto insurance in the event of an animal accident. In addition to keeping an eye out for additional animals if you see a deer while driving, Farmers/ORC offered some suggestions. In 2015-16, there were more than 200 fatalities as the result of deer strikes, and the average car repair bill came in at around $4,000. This will hopefully scare the deer away. If you see one crossing, slow to a crawl. Keep in mind that deer, elk, and antelope wander in groups. These driving tips for senior citizens can help them stay safe on the road—and save money on car insurance. 1. Best Way to Avoid Hitting a Deer on the Road. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1.6 million deer-vehicle collisions occur each year, resulting in 200 fatalities, tens of thousands of injuries and over $3.6 billion in vehicle damage. The yellow diamonds with the deer on it are placed in high-traffic areas for deer. In addition to following these tips, it’s also important to pay attention to the road while driving, maintain good situational awareness, and consider changing the time of day or route of travel if you’re going to be heading through an area that is known to have deer crossing issues. It’s also a good idea to be wearing a seatbelt. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer darting across the road. On a multi-lane road, the center lane is your safest bet for avoiding a deer collision, as long as your local traffic laws permit it. If you don't know who to call for your area then call 911. Deer mating season can be a dangerous time for drivers, deer and car hoods. If you happen to see deer crossing signs, that means you should begin to be more cautious. It also reduces stopping distance, which can prevent collisions from occurring in the first place. Here’s what you should do if you get into a deer car accident. Deer are pack animals, and rarely travel alone. Like all animals, deer can be unpredictable. If, for whatever reason, you don't clear the road yourself then you should immediately call the relevant authority to report the road hazard. It also helps you to reduce the chances of losing control of your vehicle from swerving. Look out for deer in any of these locations. With tornado season upon us, make sure to read these safety tips on driving during a tornado to make sure you are safe from a tornado. During the day, we may get a second or two of advanced warning if we can see them emerging from the treeline, and this can be more than enough time to stop or take some kind of safe evasive action. Every year as the rut winds to an end, we outdoor writers begin compartmentalizing the reasons for the tough hunting—and the strategies you should be using if you’re still holding a tag. When Cell Phones Stop Working, then What. If you see a deer, brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane. In fact, you have a 1/169 chance of hitting a deer, according to State Farm. Most likely any movement you do will scare off the deer. Deer or no deer, the distraction could be deadly. Deer are most active at dusk and dawn: periods when your vision is most compromised. Slow down, make an assessment, and move forward with caution if you see a deer crossing down the road. Driving Safely: What to do When Deer Cross the Road. Cars are engineered to take impact head on. Slow down when you see the Deer Crossing warning sign. Stay alert if you spot a deer. During deer migration and mating season, which generally runs from October through December, there is a dramatic increase in the movement of deer populations and this means you’re more likely to cross paths with a deer while you’re driving. 1. Try flashing headlights and turning on sport or utility lights as you drive down dark country roads. Swerving could make you lose control of your vehicle and turn a bad situation much worse. It’s that simple. There are many deer throughout Indiana, not to mention the rest of the United States, and drivers collide with them on a regular basis. 3. More are bound to follow. However, there are a couple of tricks that may help, and even if you still end up striking a deer, they can reduce the severity of the impact. If you do hit a deer, pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road and call the police and animal control. If you drive in a state or province that employs road salt, keep in mind that wildlife embraces it as a condiment. Make seatbelts a requirement for yourself and every passenger Deer strikes are serious. Hopefully you are always driving defensively so you can be prepared if a deer should appear in front of you. While not 100% guaranteed to work, deer whistles provide some insurance to help you avoid deer while driving. As a driver, you learn to expect the unexpected from other drivers and changing road conditions. In fact, some experts believe that a good number of deer collisions are caused, in part, because vehicles are so quiet these days. The reasoning is, when you brake hard, inertia causes the front of your car dip down, making it more likely for a deer you hit to slide up your hood and thru the windshield. Deer often travel with others, so if you see one cross the road, there’s an increased chance that more will follow. Oh, and if you happen to catch sight of a deer, be extra cautious; they tend to travel in groups, and have been known to leap directly in front of cars at the last possible moment. We certainly recommend using them as they are a relatively inexpensive way to help keep deer away from your vehicle. If the above plan fails (and it happens to the best drivers), you should take the following steps in the deer collision aftermath. You may also spot a deer because their eyes will brightly reflect a car’s headlights, making them easier to spot. Whether you encounter a squirrel or moose, knowing how to react when you see a pair of eyes ahead of you on the road will drastically reduce the chances of your involvement in a serious wreck. In addition to keeping an eye out for additional animals if you see a deer while driving, Farmers/ORC offered some suggestions. Again, you should always remember that deer commonly move in packs so seeing even one may mean others are near. Whatever you do, don’t use your cell phone while you’re driving. You are most likely to see deer during September, October, and November because autumn is deer mating season. How To Spot Deer While Driving. Troopers offer safety tips when you see a deer while driving. This is especially true when you are driving through areas that are heavily wooded. If you see a deer, brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane. Speed limits vary from state to state. I have a very close relative who has totaled TWO brand NEW vehicles over the recent years because where they live, deer runs rampant, especially during the winter months.. I’ve learned a few things from my family member’s mistakes about how to avoid hitting a deer and I’d like to drop some science on you. 2. If a deer jumps in front of your car… While it’s natural to be momentarily overcome with terror, do your best to stay calm. This will maximize the profile of your vehicle while also emitting flashes that can scare deer away. This can help them to process the fact that you’re bearing down on their position and pose an imminent threat. First, look for the road signs. However, this is not usually the case at night. It’s also recommended to drive straight toward a deer that you see in the center of the road ahead. If you are driving through an area known for high deer populations, you are likely to see the Deer Crossing warning sign. Don't drive at night, for example. Don’t exceed the speed limit. Have A Plan In Case of an Accident. On that note, there’s always a possibility that a deer or other large animal could cross the road in front of your car. Keeping calm and driving smart improve your chances of avoiding a collision and staying safe on the road. Take some time to think about other things that we can do to stay safe while driving through deer country, and feel free to share any useful tips as well. Colliding with a deer at full-speed can be akin to driving into a concrete wall. Even if you don’t see any warning signs, remain alert while you’re driving. If you see a deer in the road, don't swerve to avoid it. Deer are known to be in the area and crossing over the roads you are traveling on. Get a free online car insurance quote and see how much you could save with GEICO! This gives you, as well as the deer, room to escape in the heat of the moment. First off, you always need to be watching for movement off the road that could be a deer. Here’s what you need to do if you see a deer in your headlights. Deer are mostly solid, and can weigh anywhere from 100 to 200 lbs. Consequently, periodically making noise by revving the engine in neutral, honking the horn, or even sounding a vehicle’s alarm siren in deer territory can deter them from crossing until you’ve passed their position. Stay away from the deer. Deer like the same road conditions as you do — except with more deer and no cars. Deer can run fast, jump far, and seemingly pop out of nowhere as they dash across roadways. This gives deer plenty of space; and in case your vehicle does startle them, it gives you more time to react if one darts onto the road. (Your email address will not be published). Swerving could make you lose control of your vehicle and turn a bad situation much worse. Call emergency services if injuries are involved or the local police for property damage. Slow down, make an assessment, and move forward with caution if you see a deer crossing down the road. It’s also a good idea to be wearing a seatbelt. When contacting the authorities, let them know if the deer is in a dangerous spot on the road so that it can be removed. One really long, continuous honk. What do I do if I see a deer? Hitting a deer while driving – not a pretty sight! Some experts recommend that one long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road. And be careful driving on Settler's Ridge at dusk — prime deer playing time. Knowing what to do when you encounter a large animal on or near the roadway can be a life-saver. While you’re at it, make sure your tail lights are clean and working as well — the U of I Extension states that if you see a deer on the road, tapping your brakes can help alert other drivers behind you of its presence. Pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Some experts recommend that one long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road. There are more than 1.5 million collisions involving vehicles and dear each year. While we may need more time to get to our respective destinations, we will also exponentially-increase the chances of getting there in one piece. Review these tips before driving so that you will know what to do when you encounter an animal on the road. Slowing down gives us more time to react if we suddenly see a deer pop in front of our vehicles. In a defensive driving course I had to take for work, we were told NOT to slam on the brakes if you couldn't avoid hitting a deer. Deer whistles are merely peace-of-mind placebos. Deer car accidents are more common than you think. If you hit a deer you should pull over immediately (if safe to do so) and remove the bits of deer from the roadway (again, if safe to do so). These defensive driving tips are invaluable in preparing for a deer-related issue while driving. Turn on your hazard lights and remain in the vehicle until you are sure it is safe. Deer travel in groups, so you are unlikely to see a single deer in the road. Have backseat passengers buckle up as well, because that kind of impact can easily send them flying through the vehicle cabin and possibly out a window. Not to mention, deer are unpredictable, and you could swerve directly into their changed path. Even a small nail in the road could cause a tire blowout. Do not swerve and leave your lane; many accidents are not due to colliding with the deer but are the result of driving into another car or truck in the opposite lane while trying to avoid the animal. You hit the brakes, but it’s too late: You hear a thump as you strike the deer. If you see deer crossing signs or know the area to have deer, pay close attention to the road. What to Do if You Hit a Deer. Email(Your email address will not be published). Being prepared and knowing how to react if you see a deer crossing a road is essential to safe driving during deer season. They end up costing motorists more than 3.5 billion dollars in damage and medical expenses, and a couple hundred people lose their lives annually as a result. Contact GEICO as quickly as possible to report any damage to your vehicle. Deer are nocturnal, so the most dangerous times for driving in deer territory are dusk and dawn. Because a deer can jump in front of anyone's vehicle, you should know what to do if you ever hit a deer while driving. Do not rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer—studies have shown them to be largely ineffective at minimizing accidents. So how can you avoid hitting a deer? Don't drive at night, for example. Deer that are running or jumping tend to be focused on what’s in front of them. Not to mention, deer are unpredictable, and you could swerve directly into their changed path. Two eyes shining in the road. Roads may be drier but wildlife more numerous. Deer are generally skittish animals, and they tend to run out of an abundance of caution if they get startled. Try to avoid hitting the deer. The safest place to be in deer territory is in the center of the road. Use your bright lights if possible when driving in the morning and evening. If it is still alive, it could be confused, injured and dangerous if approached. Deer Season Driving Tips So what can you do if a deer jumps in front of your car? If you hit an animal which is covered by The Road Traffic Act 1988 – namely, dogs, goats, horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, sheep and pigs you are legally required to report it to the police.But if you hit an animal not mentioned in the Road Traffic Act – a cat or a fox for example – you are not required by law to report it but you might want to inform the police of the incident anyway. Read on for our advice on cats and deer. If a deer crosses in front of you, chances are there are more nearby. Here are some useful tips to keep from being one of over 200 people annually killed by deer coming through your windshield: Don’t get distracted by anything. Find out where your state ranks. Deer often travel with others, so if you see one cross the road, there’s an increased chance that more will follow. I almost ran into two deer just last week on that road. If you end up hitting a deer, try to keep the wheel as straight as possible as you brake. To add to their terrible timing, deer are on the move during mating season (between October and January) when you’re more likely to travel after the sun sets. Learn the truth behind these 5 common driving myths that you may have heard from your relatives. Be cautious during high-risk travel times. Brake firmly the second you see the deer. When you do spot movement that could be from a deer, you should immediately slow down but not stop. 10 Tips to Avoid Animals on the Road [7] Being prepared can help prevent you from adding to these statistics. Sometimes deer jump out and there isn’t time to avoid them.