Tips to Avoid Hitting A Deer While Driving

Now that deer season is in full swing, it’s especially important to keep your eyes open for them while you’re driving. As many of you know, deer cross roads on a regular basis and there are several important tips to keep in mind to avoid hitting a deer.

Deer are most active and likely to be moving at dusk and dawn. So, right before daylight breaks and just before the sun sets be especially cautious.

If it's dark, use your high beams whenever possible. Your high beams are designed to illuminate a range of 200 to 250 feet. Taking that range into account, decrease your speed accordingly allowing for time to stop.

When driving on a multilane road, it’s best to stay in the middle lane. This gives you more time to avoid hitting an animal if it decides to dart into the road.

Pay extra attention when going around corners that limit your visibility.

In the instance that a deer does jump out in front of you, don’t swerve your car into traffic. The DMV says the best course of action is to “lock the brakes, jam the horn, and (if time allows) duck low behind the dashboard.”

Keep in mind that the weather and road conditions may affect deer as well. If a road has just been salted, be aware that deer might be attracted to its taste. Salted roads attract wildlife.

Deer travel around in groups. So, if you see one deer cross the road or standing off on the shoulder, it’s likely that there are more. If a deer crosses your path, slow way down because chances are another will soon follow.

Finally, always take deer warning signs very seriously and always scan the roadside for reflective eyes.

Happy traveling...and be safe!