Drivers generally understand that they need to pay attention to their vehicles and their surroundings. They need to monitor other motorists and respond appropriately to changes in traffic conditions. They also need to watch for signs of dangerous animal activity.
Whitetail deer are a common sight along rural roads and highways across Indiana. Any road near open agricultural fields and forested areas may occasionally see deer crossing the road. Motorists never know when they might encounter deer, and a crash between a vehicle and a deer can have devastating consequences.
Each year, there are more than 14,000 collisions between vehicles and deer just in Indiana. How can drivers reduce their risk of a collision with a deer?
Pay attention during liminal times
Technically, deer can wander out into the road at any time of day. However, they tend to be particularly active early in the morning and in the evening when the sun sets. Scientists call deer crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during those transitional or liminal times. Watching not just the shoulder of the road but also open spaces near the road can help drivers spot deer before they enter the street and create a dangerous situation.
Proceed with caution after spotting one deer
Deer are herd animals that typically travel in large groups. Anywhere a driver encounters one deer, there are probably multiple other deer nearby that are not readily visible.A single deer crossing the road might be the first of a group. Slowing down and monitoring the road carefully after spotting a single deer on or near the road could help people avoid crashes when other animals from the same herd also attempt to cross.
Know how to respond
If a driver spots a deer on the shoulder of the road, they have to know how to react to prevent a crash from occurring. Slowing down is usually the best possible reaction. Drivers should avoid swerving, especially if doing so might lead to the car going off the road or into oncoming traffic. Additionally, sounding the horn can help startle the deer into action. Deer that see the headlights of an approaching car sometimes freeze, but the sound of the horn can prompt them to run off the road and away from the sound they find frightening. Should a car-deer crash occur, the driver involved may need to report the matter and prepare for a complicated insurance claim.
If another driver reacts poorly to the presence of a deer, they may be accountable for injuring other people or causing property damage because they’ve respond inappropriately. Being ready to address seasonal car crash risks can help people stay safer and more effectively hold other drivers accountable if they cause a wreck.
