Beware of Deer

You're driving down the road obeying all the laws when out of nowhere there's a Deer in your headlights.

This is the time of the year when Deer become more active searching for food and running from hunters.

If you travel back roads and even wooded city areas, chances are there are Deer in those locations.

In 2012 over 80,000 motorists had a collision with a Deer in New York State, 115,000 in Pennsylvania.

First lets talk about the best way to avoid a collision with a Deer.

Whenever you are in a heavily wooded area it is always best to scan for Deer on the sides of the road they are heavily camouflaged, but there eyes glow.

Watch your speed and make sure you have enough time to stop if one or a group start to cross the road, traveling at a high speed can result in swerving and possibly flipping your car hitting a tree.

If you see a Deer in the road ahead, it is best to apply your brakes rather than try to swerve out of the way, most vehicles today have anti lock brakes and will stop you without skidding, or at least slow you down enough where any impact would be minimum.

What to do if you hit a Deer?

If you are involved in a collision with a Deer you should pull over to the side of the road, and make sure everyone in the vehicle is OK.

If the Deer is in front of you make sure you keep your headlights on.

Stay in the car if it appears the animal is alive and able to move, Deer can attack and you don't want to get kicked by one.

If it is safe to exit the vehicle, you can get out and place some road flares to alert on coming drivers, call 911 and let authorities know and wait for the police to show up.

If you are the only vehicle involved contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

I have a lot of experience with Deer traveling back roads and wooded areas on my daily commute to work, I actually had a Deer run onto me on RT 26 in West Corners.

Alway be alert and assume that there are Deer, and that they can appear at anytime.