Oh deer! Watch out!

One of the unexpected events that can happen when you’re driving is hitting (or getting hit by) a deer. Two people in the C2 office have had run-ins with a deer this week and it got us to thinking about what can be done to avoid this traumatic and costly driving incident.

Here are a few tips to remember to keep you, your car, and roaming deer out of harm’s way:

• Be extra aware of deer presence starting in September until February. Although it’s good to always be on the look-out for deer and other critters crossing the road, it seems October through January are the highest range months for deer activity, with highest sightings peaking in November.
• Be extra aware of deer presence in the early mornings and late evenings. Dusk and dawn tend to be when deer are most active. Although, it’s good to always be on the look-out no matter the time of day.
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  Scan the sides of the road while driving. If you are driving close to a field, wooded area, or where the sides of the road are grown up with grass or bushes, then you need to especially be aware. Deer tend to hide in these areas during the day, since it is a great place for them to be camouflaged.
• Look for “eye shine” when you’re scanning the sides of the road. Headlights reflecting on their eyes is especially helpful when trying to spot a nocturnal animal at night. This trick has saved many drivers from hitting an animal about to run into the road.
• If you see one deer, there are likely more not far away. When you’ve missed one deer, don’t think that you are in the clear. Deer travel in groups for safety and in the spring fawns will be trailing right behind their mothers.
• Slow down. If it’s the time of day, in the time of year, in the right conditions for deer, then just slow down. Slowing down will allow you more reaction time if Bambi decides to jump out in front of your car causing damage and a hefty auto body bill.

Let us know if you have more tips to share about staying safe during deer season.

Written by: Shanda Anders