WATCH OUT FOR ANIMALS

Drive at a safe speed, since excessive speed reduces your reaction time and increases your braking distance.

Always wear your seatbelt. Did you know that most people injured in animal/vehicle crashes were not wearing their seatbelts?

Slow down and be careful when you approach any horse-drawn vehicle or someone riding a horse, since most animals are easily frightened by motor vehicles, especially big trucks. Allow plenty of room for passing them safely. You should be prepared to stop if the animal you are trying to pass should appear frightened.

Be very alert in the early morning and the evening hours. This is the most active time for deer and other animals.

You should use special caution in areas that are marked with deer or other animal crossing signs.

During the periods of darkness, use your bright lights when there is no traffic approaching you. The high beams will illuminate the eyes of deer and any other animals on or near the roadway much sooner. This will allow you a greater reaction time. Continually scan the roadsides for deer or other animals and the reflection of the light in their eyes. Also, look for any animals silhouettes in back lit conditions.

Slow down when approaching a deer or any other animal that is standing near the roadside. The animal may "bolt out" or change direction instantly before you know it, even possibly onto the road.

If you see a deer or any other animal cross the road, expect a second or third animal to follow soon thereafter. Slow down, approach the area with caution, and be alert.

Focus your vision far down the road as far as you can see, or as far as your headlights luminate. If the headlights of a vehicle that is approaching you or the taillights of the vehicle you are following should flash, flicker or momentarily disappear, slow down. This also goes for the reflectors on the side of the road. It is possible that an animal or pedestrian is on or crossing the roadway. If the "flickering" should discontinue, don't assume that everything is "all clear." Still continue to approach the area with caution because the animal or a second animal may cross again.

Use flashers or a headlight signal to warn any other drivers when a deer or other animal is spotted on or near the roadway.

Remember where you have seen the deer cross the road. They are creatures of habit and use the same paths. This could also be a migrating area that they use to cross the roads with often.

Watch for any evidence along the road where animals were previously struck by other vehicles. This should be another waring sign that animals are in the area.

If you see a deer or any other animal on the road, honk your horn with one long blast to frighten it. Flashing your lights may cause the animal to furlter fixate itself on your vehicle. Brake firmly in a controlled fashion and do not swerve. Attempting to steer around the animal may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you must make an evasive maneuver, be sure that your speed is reduced significantly so that you will remain on the roadway and keep control of your vehicle.

If it appears that a collision with the animal cannont be avoided, the it is better to strike the animal with your vehicle rather than trying to swerve to avoid it. Once the animal and vehicle have collided, slow to a safe and complete stop off the side of the road and turn your emergency flashers on. It is better to strike the animal than to swerve and miss it and end up hitting another vehicle, a fixed object or roll your vehicle over.

If your vehicle strikes an animal, do not touch the animal. If the animal is still alive, it will be frightened. It will attempt to move and could hurt you or itself. The animal may also strike out at you in an attempt to protect itself. The best procedure is to get you and your vehicle off the road if possible and then contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

Drive safe out there. You are the one in control of your vehicle. Always be prepared for the unexpected any time you are behind the wheel of any vehicle.