Six Top Tips to Deal with Deer on the Roads

The recent death of a teenager in Chesapeake after his mother swerved to avoid a deer, has shed light on a potential danger on the roads of Virginia, which is particularly prevalent in November and December.

Earlier this week the 13-year-old was tragically killed when his mother swerved to avoid a deer and crashed into a tree on Rotunda Avenue in Western Branch, according to police. The road runs parallel with Interstate 264 as it curves and becomes I-64. The teenager, who was wearing his seat belt, was a passenger in a Volkswagen Passat.

In the wake of the accident, experts said the correct way to deal with deer in the road is to act in a way that runs counter to your instinct – to stop rather than swere.

The Virginian-Pilot reported the comments of Lee Walker, outreach director for the state department of Game and Inland Fisheries who said drivers should be able to stop when facing a deer in the road. If that isn’t possible, they shouldn’t swerve.

He said collision with a vehicle, tree or other object is likely to be more serious than hitting the deer.

Here are six safety tips to consider to avoid being in an accident with a deer.

• Heed Warning Signs – If you are driving in an area with a large deer population, there may be warning signs that inform you of the elevated danger.
• Watch Your Speed – If you are on a rural road in darkness, you should be driving at a slow speed that allows you to stop quickly. This will help you react to an incident in which a deer appears in the road. If there are signs warning of deer, you should slow down.
• Know When Not To Swerve – If you suddenly see a deer before you, brake firmly. You should not swerve as you may leave the road and hit a tree or have a head-on crash with another vehicle.
• Sound Your Horn at the Deer in Short Bursts – Honking your horn may work if the deer is far enough ahead and there are no cars around that can be put off by the honking. Deer can become mesmerized by the steady, bright lights of your car so if you see one frozen on the road, slow down and flash your lights.
• Be Particularly Wary at Sunset and Sunrise – These are the times when deer are more likely to be on the road. These are also the hardest times for our eyes to adjust to the light, so we should take extra care
• Look Out – Watch for the shine of eyes along the roadside and immediately begin to slow.

If you are injured or if you lose a loved one, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver. Call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 for a free consultation.