AMP Custom Paint recommends the following defensive driving tips.
As the deer population remains robust and more people move into the deer’s natural habitat, take caution to limit the chances that you and your car end up colliding with a deer. (If you do, be sure to KEEP CALM AND CALL AMP!)
When do the deer come out?
Deer are most active from sunset to midnight and just before and after sunrise. Be on the lookout during these hours!
Know where the deer are!
Roads that cut through farmland and forests may see a lot of deer traffic! Be cautious and on the lookout when driving these roads.
Where you see one, you are likely to see many!
Deer tend to travel in groups. Be aware that you are likely to encounter more deer when you see just one.
When you can, use your high beam headlights.
Using your high beams will illuminate an area further along your path as well as what may be lurking close to the roadway.
Slow down and give one long horn blast.
If you happen to see deer, decrease your driving speed and give a long blast of your horn to scare the deer away.
Be careful not to change lanes to cause an accident with another car.
If you see a deer in your path, stay in your lane and brake firmly. Many very serious crashes with other cars can occur if you change lanes. Also, you may lose control of your car if you oversteer.
Wear your seat belt!
Always wear a seat belt. Most injuries from a collision with a deer occur when seat belts are not worn.
Do not rely on devices that are supposed to deter deer.
Deer deterrent devices have not been proven to effectively reduce collisions with deer.
If you hit a deer, get your car off the road and call the police if necessary.
Injured deer can inflict great harm to a person. Pull your car off the road and call the police if you hit a deer.
See our article…”What to Do if You Get in a Car Accident.”