The leaves are starting to change and signs of fall are here. Deer-vehicle crashes peak during this season. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind as you enjoy our beautiful Michigan fall.
- Drive at a safe speed and always be buckled up.
- Deer are more active between 6pm and 9pm – be more alert!
- Never swerve to avoid a deer. They change directions when startled.
- Watch for the rest of the gang – deer rarely travel alone.
- Take note of road signs. The yellow diamonds with the deer on it are placed in high-traffic areas for deer.
- On a multi-lane road, the center lane is your safest bet for avoiding a deer collision.
- If you see a deer, brake firmly and calmly, and stay in your lane.
- Honk! Some experts recommend that one long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road. Do not rely on hood whistles or other devices designed to scare off deer—studies have shown them to be largely ineffective at minimizing accidents.