Watch Out For Falling Deer

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Written by Dennis LeMire

Wednesday, 05 October 2011 20:29

If you have lived in Minnesota for any number of years, you know that October kicks off the time of year where whitetail deer start jumping from the safety of their homes into the front of our cars.  The likelihood of collision with a deer is 1 in 98 here in MN, which is good for a top 10 ranking in the country.  Deer tend to be more active from October-December because of mating and migration seasons.  There are some things you can do to make your deer hitting season safer this year:

• Slow down. Watch for deer especially around dawn and between the hours of 6-9 p.m. when they are most active. 

• Be aware. Look out for deer-crossing signs and wooded areas where deer or other animals would likely travel. And if you travel the same route to and from work everyday, you might find deer consistently grazing in the same fields. Make a mental note of when and where you regularly see these animals. 

• Be alert. If you see an animal on the side of the road, slow down, and, at night, when traffic permits, put on your high-beams for greater visibility. 

• Brake, don’t swerve. Swerving to avoid an animal can put you at risk for hitting another vehicle or losing control of your own car. It can also confuse the animal as to which way to go. Just slow down as quickly and safely as you can. Your odds of surviving an accident are better hitting an animal than another car.

• Assume they have friends. The phrase “where’s there’s one, there’s usually more” often holds true. Deer travel in groups, so if you see one run across the road, expect others to follow. 

• Don’t rely on deer whistles. The whims of wild animals are not beholden to this technology.

• Buckle up. A seat belt is your best defense for minimizing your risk in a crash. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that 60 percent of the people killed in animal-vehicle collisions weren’t wearing seat belts. 

If you do hit a deer, pull off to the side of the road and call the police and your insurance company right away.  A deer/car collision is covered by your comprehensive insurance on most policies.  

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 05 October 2011 20:55