Don’t Swerve for Deer
Being the Deer Capital of Georgia only logically implies that our potential for deer collisions is going to be higher than other places.
So we need to be smarter and safer when those opportunities present themselves. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a deer, a dog, a squirrel, or a cute chipmunk. To swerve, or not to swerve: that is the question.
Let’s consider some statistics:
•89% of all wildlife collisions occur on roads with two lanes
•77% of all wildlife collisions are with deer.
•84% of all wildlife collisions occur in good weather on dry roads.
•The average cost of a car-deer collision is $4,000.
•Approximately 200 motorists die each year in the United States from car vs wildlife collisions.
Safe travel in rural communities, especially during the Rut, includes paying extra attention to the following precautions:
• Slow down when passing yellow animal-crossing signs. These warnings are posted not because road crews just happened to have a surplus of signs, but because heavy animal traffic frequents the area.
• Wildlife is most active during dusk, dawn, and night. Deer are most frequently hit during dusk and dawn.
• Headlights have an illumination range of 200 to 250 feet. To allow for sufficient brake time, reduce your speed to 45 mph at night-or even down to 30 mph when roads are wet or icy.
• Pay attention to shoulders. Even though wildlife may be off to the side as your car approaches, animals may suddenly attempt to flee by inexplicably leaping into the road.
• Look for reflecting eyes…and honk your horn! Deer have terrible eyesight but great hearing. On our dark Jasper County roads at night, I randomly honk my horn attempting to scatter the deer.
• Keep in mind that deer wander in groups. If you see one crossing, slow to a crawl. More are bound to follow.
• If you drive in an area that employs road salt, keep in mind that wildlife embraces it as a condiment. Roads may be drier but wildlife more numerous.
• While research remains inconclusive as to the advantages of car-mounted devices like deer whistles, I’ll pass along this tidbit. Several body shop owners noted that while they may have a few cars with deer damage with whistles, they have a whole lot more vehicles that don’t have the whistles.
It’s human nature to try and avoid an accident, and it’s only by luck to avoid an accident by predicting what an animal will do. By braking suddenly or swerving, drivers can create a new hazard by hitting a tree, guard rail or another car. Most of the accidents we work in Fire/Rescue where there are injuries are because of swerving to avoid.
Yes, airbags feel like getting whacked by a mule. But they are FAR BETTER than being broadsided by trees, rolling down a culvert, or hitting another car or truck head-on.
As a monetary incentive, hitting a deer shouldn’t result in an increase in your insurance premium because it falls under comprehensive coverage; whereas collision coverage or at-fault coverage occurs when you’ve swerved and end up hitting other objects.
Stay safe Jasper! The Rut is here.
