Bambi Alert!
Published: July 7th, 2009
Share
Tips to avoid/survive deer accidents:
1) Be attentive, be aware. Scan the sides of the road, not just straight ahead (use your peripheral vision).
2. When you see deer (whether standing or moving), warning signs or simply suspect you may be driving through their habitat, slow down.
3) Use your high-beams (dim where appropriate).
4) DO NOT SWERVE to avoid a collision with a deer. A sudden loss of vehicle control is far more dangerous than animal impact. Brake and hold the wheel straight.
5) Do not stop in the middle of the road post-Bambicide. Move your vehicle off the road and out of [further] harm’s way as soon as possible.
More by Robert Farago
Comments
Join the conversation
Not too long after getting my drivers license I hit a doe at 45 mph with a 1974 International Scout II. I never stopped, just when straight home. My dad pulled the stamped metal grill out of the radiator, checked the radiator to make sure it wasn't leaking, and told me to go get the headlights realigned. a few years later I'm driving the same road in a 1978 Chevette. A group of three big bucks come bounding down the hill and cross the road right in front of me. By the grace of God I somehow managed to miss all of them.
Buddy hit a deer at ~55 mph a year or two ago in an older 626. Blew both bags, messed up the front sheetmetal, front plastic, front lights, windshield and the airbags blowing broke the dash in several places. Despite being high mileage he fixed it all with junkyard parts and the car was whole again for cheap plus ALOT of hours. Paint matched well, etc. My father hit a cow once in about 1987!! Herd was standing in the road around a blind turn/hill. Big cow ruined all the front sheetmetal on Dad's '84 turbo T-bird. He fixed it and painted it himself and the damage had no lasting effects. Dad said the cow rolled up on the hood and then back off. When it got to it's feet it gave Dad the worst insulted look. Fortunately Dad found the owner at the Co-Op down the road and informed the guy that his herd was out in the road. The guy paid for the repair. We travel often through a rural area going to see the Grandparents. Added big lights to the front of our CR-V tied to the high beams and it was shocking to see how many deer stand along the side of the road. Never hit one though we have had one deer jump out in front of us and slip and slide due to poor asphalt to hoof traction. I had plenty of time to slow down. I ride through the area in a vintage VW bus and motorcycle (similar safety standards) and am pretty careful. Good lighting and brakes are important.
This looks like a cop car hitting the deer.
vento97> Not too long ago I was coming home through a rural area on my motorcycle and saw the occasional deer. I slowed down, went to the right, and then followed 2-3 seconds stopping distance behind a semi for about 30 miles hoping it would pulverize anything that would run out on the road.