With the fall season just around the corner, many of us are preparing for the beautiful colors of fall leaves, pumpkins patches, and hunting season. During deer mating season, drivers need to be on the defensive. With 1.6 million deer-vehicle collisions each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute, this can be a dangerous time of year for drivers, deer, and your car.
Don’t become a statistic this season by following these tips for avoiding a collision with a deer:
Deer are the most active during dawn and dusk. These are the times of day where your vision is the most compromised. It is important to note that deer are moving the most during their mating season, between the months of October and January. During these months, drivers are more likely to be traveling home from work or to the store after the sun sets, so be sure to slow down and drive cautiously after dark.
This one might sound like a no brainer, but you will want to make sure you use your headlights to seek out road signs, especially deer crossing signs. These signs are yellow diamonds with deer printed on them. They are placed in high traffic areas for deer to warn motorists.
Headlights can also help you spot deer because they will reflect off the deer’s eyes.
Another thing to remember about is deer is that they are pack animals. Deer rarely travel alone, so if one crosses in front of you, there is likely to be another one ready to dart across the road in front of you. Be sure to take a moment and pause to make sure there isn’t another deer following.
A deer jumps out in front of your car. Your first instinct might be to swerve, but it is recommended to brake firmly and stay in lane. Swerving can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and cause a serious accident. Deer, like most animals, are unpredictable, so even if you swerve, the deer may end up moving into your new path.
If these tips happen to fail, and you end up hitting a deer, follow these steps after hitting a deer:
For deer damage repair, you can contact Freedom Collision Center to schedule an appointment to get your car good as new! We are your top choice for auto body repair in Morgantown. Contact us today to learn more about our auto body repair services!
