Oh Deer!

October brings cooler weather, but it’s also when deer start coming out for mating season.

Here are some tips to stay safe on the road, for both drivers and deer.

How To Avoid Hitting A Deer On The Road

1. Be aware during prime deer time. Dusk and dawn are the prime times for deer to be out in the road. Those times also can limit visibility, with the sun being near the horizon causing glare and affecting vision.
2. Don’t swerve. You want to avoid the secondary collision. And if you’re swerving suddenly, you’re increasing your risk by hitting another car or leaving the roadway. Instead, you should brake firmly when you see an animal in your path, but continue to stay in your lane. 3. Drive slowly. The best advice is to heed deer warning signs and slow down in areas where deer are prevalent. And if you see one, other deer are likely to be nearby. You can give your horn a short, firm blast to scare others in the area away.
4. Use your brights. (when there’s no oncoming traffic, of course) Not only will this help you see the road better, but it will help you detect deer more easily. “The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway,” the Insurance Information Institute says.

So I Hit A Deer; Now What?

1. Move your vehicle to a safe place: Get it off the road, if possible, and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Call the police: They can make sure traffic gets stopped, if needed, and take down information for your insurance claim.
3. Document the incident: Take photos of everything — the deer, your car, any injuries to you or your passengers. You should also get contact information from any witnesses who saw the crash.
4. Don’t touch the animal: It could be carrying disease, or if it’s still alive, it could get scared and hurt you.
5. Contact your insurance agent: Get the claims process going ASAP.
6. Don’t assume your vehicle is safe to drive: Check it for fluid leaks, tire damage, broken lights or anything else that may have gone wrong during the crash. If you have any doubts, call a tow truck.