A collision with an animal can put a serious dent in your vehicle, if not destroy it completely. Any animal darting across the road could result in a crash, but deer are often the cause of a collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates there are more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions each year, resulting in 150 occupant deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.
Deer and other animals on the road are unpredictable, but there are actions drivers can take to minimize animal collisions.
Tips to avoid animals on the road:
- Look front, left and right. Continuously sweep your eyes across the road for signs of animals. While the most likely accident is an animal darting in front of you, they can also run into the side of your car.
- Be especially attentive at dawn and dusk. Many animals, such as deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. – prime commuting hours.
- When driving at night, use high beams if there’s no oncoming traffic. Your brights can better illuminate the road and help you spot animals sooner.
- Watch for other deer. Deer rarely travel alone, so if you see one, chances are good there are more nearby.
- Honk your horn with one long blast. A single, long blast on your horn may frighten animals away from your vehicle. The Insurance Information Institute advises against relying on devices such as deer whistles and reflectors, which have not been proven to reduce collisions with animals.
- Brake firmly if impact is imminent. If an animal is in your path, stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid animals, hit oncoming vehicles or crash into fixed objects on the side of the road, such as lampposts or trees.
- Always wear a seatbelt. According to I.I.I., most injuries in animal-vehicle collisions occur when passengers don’t wear their seatbelts.
- Stay away from wounded animals. A wounded animal can be unpredictable and cause injury. If the animal is in the middle of the road blocking traffic, call the police immediately.
- Consider purchasing comprehensive insurance, if you don’t already have it. Comprehensive insurance covers animal collisions. For more information on auto, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance, contact your local AAA office or visit AAA online.
