Deer mating season can be a dangerous time for drivers, deer and car hoods. 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. Being prepared can help prevent you from adding to these statistics.
When driving this fall, you should:
- Watch for the rest of the gang. Deer are pack animals, and rarely travel alone. If a deer crosses in front of you, chances are there are more nearby. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer darting across the road.
- Timing is everything. Deer are most active at dusk and dawn: periods when your vision is most compromised. 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. Slow down and stay alert, especially after dark.
- Wear your seat belt. It may not prevent a collision, but if the inevitable happens a seat belt can reduce injuries. This is especially true if you lose control and collide with something bigger, and more stationary than a deer.
- Take a moment to reflect. First, look for the road signs. The yellow diamonds with the deer on it are placed in high-traffic areas for deer. You may also spot a deer because their eyes will brightly reflect a car’s headlights, making them easier to spot.
- Stay Center. 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. 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.
- Stay the course. If you see a deer, brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane. Swerving could make you lose control of your vehicle and turn a bad situation much worse. Not to mention, deer are unpredictable, and you could swerve directly into their changed path.
- Honk! Some experts recommend that one long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road. 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.
We hope you’ll never need this section.
If the above plan fails (and it happens to the best drivers), you should take the following steps in the deer collision aftermath.
- Pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Turn on your hazard lights and remain in the vehicle until you are sure it is safe.
- Call emergency services if injuries are involved or the local police for property damage.
- Stay away from the deer. If it is still alive, it could be confused, injured and dangerous if approached. When contacting the authorities, let them know if the deer is in a dangerous spot on the road so that it can be removed.
- Contact GEICO as quickly as possible to report any damage to your vehicle.
By Nathan Erb
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I hit a deer last year and looking for ways to warn them away from the road.
Many highways have “rumble strips” dug into the pavement and cause your tires to make a loud noise when you get on them. I’m getting on them at likely places, like where I hit that one last year, hopefully cause them to at least pause before getting on the road.
I’m looking at a battery powered Bluetooth speaker mounted at the front of my car, which I could play barking dogs from my cell phone. Before leash laws, the neighborhood dogs kept them away.
All really good strategies for avoiding deer. But I have one technique that deer use on subordinate deer to move them out of the way. They flash the whites of their eyes to move other deer out of their way.
I use my high back to low beams in rapid succession, like a machine gun burst. I’ve turned many deer away from the edge of the road with this technique. Even from a long distance. One thing … you have to have time to do so. Not spotting the deer until you are upon them renders this technique moot.
Thanks for the tips heard rumors about how to avoid deer and yes they do travel in packs I saw six deer lined up on 85 south going to Georgia really shook me up I said no way not six
Thank you for the safe driving tips. I appreciate the driving at night, especially during deer mating season tips. Very informative.
While motorcycle cruising in the mountains of Utah traveling uphill on a curve a large Doe came running down the hillside and into our lane. She slipped on all four hooves and slid into our front tire. Luckily I saw her coming and was able to slow down. After skidding on her side she came to rest, got up and shook herself off and jumped the rail to safety. As I started the bike and began proceeding, a large Buck suddenly appeared and stood there as if to say thank you for not killing his mate. It was an awakening for my passenger and myself and no one was injured but a solemn reminder that the deer do not know better and can be dangerous near the roads.
Excellent advice; useful reminders.
Thanks for the helpful, common sense tips.
Great advice. It is good to refresh to keep it in mind on what to do. I appreciate your tips
Thank you for these thoughtful and insightful tips!
Thank you. Very helpful