What if a Deer Crosses in Front of your Car?
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at
3:19 am
Bruce Almighty asked:
Recently, a student from my community died in a car accident in trying to avoid a deer. She was driving on an area with 40 mph limit sign and deer warning sign posted. The article said she swerved and hit trees because she was trying to avoid hitting a deer.
I imagined myself in her situation. What choice would I have made? Would I hit the deer straight-on instead of avoidingit? Would hitting the deer decrease the chance of dying dramatically?
I realize there is a remote chance anyone will face this situation in their life when driving. But I still would like to hear what is the most appropriate action to take in such situations.
What is the safest way to react when a deer suddenly pops up in front of your car on a 40mph limit road?
Recently, a student from my community died in a car accident in trying to avoid a deer. She was driving on an area with 40 mph limit sign and deer warning sign posted. The article said she swerved and hit trees because she was trying to avoid hitting a deer.
I imagined myself in her situation. What choice would I have made? Would I hit the deer straight-on instead of avoidingit? Would hitting the deer decrease the chance of dying dramatically?
I realize there is a remote chance anyone will face this situation in their life when driving. But I still would like to hear what is the most appropriate action to take in such situations.
What is the safest way to react when a deer suddenly pops up in front of your car on a 40mph limit road?
Tagged with: avoiding deer in car • deer car • deer car accident
Filed under: Deer and Cars Q & A
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Here’s what I think:
you should adjust your speed first if you see a sign like that, and be aware while driving, then if a deer would get in front of your car and if you decide you want to avoid it brake first then steer towards the backside of the deer. and pray.
the problem with large animals, like deer, is that if you hit them straight on the chance exists that you get them true the windshield and on to you or your passenger. and if they have deerhorn, well good luck with that.
The deer whistles do work well, look up the research.
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The largest cause of death in this type of accident is when the driver tries to avoid the deer and winds up flipped over and in the trees. There is a small possibility that the deer will go through your windsheid at high speeds over 50MPH. But you are far more likely to die by loosing control of your vehicle attempting to avoid the deer. This is a huge problem on I-10 between Laffayette, LA and Baton Rouge, LA I drive this route almost daily and have witness numerous accidents of this type. Check out NHTSA website for the exact numbers, but the summary says this almost word for word.
deer
I would hit the deer directly on. If you try to avoid it, you will likely lose control of your vehicle. Also, if you damage your vehicle while avoiding the deer, that falls under your collision on your insurance–at fault. If you hit the deer it is considered not at fault. WE live in an area heavily populated with deer and moose. I would hit a deer head on…I would probably swerve to avoid the moose.. LOL!
I would say avoid if you are going 30 mph or slower. Anything above that, I’ve been told by a state trooper to hit the deer. This will avoid you being in a ditch or hitting anyone else. Be careful and watch out.
Watch the coole video at Deer Car WhistlesThere are motorcycles going down the hwy and a big deer jumps out on the hwy and jumps over a guy on a Harley!!
It depends on the situation, but if it’s a choice I have to make between hitting a deer and hitting a (car/tree/wall/fence/ditch/etc.), the deer better say its prayers, becuae I’m going to cut it in half.
Check out Deer Car Whistles for good information.
I live in an area with a high deer population, but thankfully, have not had any accidents or close calls. The thing to do if a deer, or any other animal for that matter, jumps out in front of you is to hit the brakes hard and hit them straight on. You will most certainly wreck your vehicle, but there is much less chance of having a rollover, leaving the road ,swerving into oncoming traffic or hitting a tree. Deer will just bounce off your vehicle and you have less chance of being injured if you brake properly. Slow down and watch for animals on the side of the road…especially where the signs are posted… even with all that, accidents do happen…you can’t always control the outcome in situations like that.
A deer is not worth a human life. Try to stop, but be willing to take out the deer if necessary. My wife complains to me about driving down the middle of certain roads in this area. But there are cornfields coming to the edge of the roads and I want the extra warning if one steps out. and don’t want it to be right in front of me.
well the safest way would be of course breaking real hard first
then try to get in the other lanes if you can
If not then don’t over steer into the woods just turn a little
or u can just hit the deer on the side of the car rather than dead on straight
just turn alittle and stay on the shoulder