Ask a Trooper

[Lee Borgersen]

                   Ask a Trooper:

      How do you avoid  crashes?
 
Oct 25, 2015 










Q: What is the best action to take when encountering a deer on the highway while traveling. What should I do if I hit a deer with my vehicle?

A: Deer-vehicle crashes peak in autumn, but Minnesota’s large deer population makes them a safety hazard all year long. Deer crashes are especially dangerous for motorcyclists. Each situation when meeting a deer on the highway is different, and common sense should prevail. But in most situations, an important tip for drivers is to never veer for deer — swerving can take motorists into oncoming traffic or off the road.

  ...
Here are some motorist safety tips to avoid deer crashes:

* Drive at safe speeds and always be buckled up.

* Be especially cautious from 6-9 p.m., when deer are most active.


* Use high beams as much as possible at night, especially in deer-active areas.

* Motorists: Don’t swerve to avoid a deer. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic.

* Motorcyclists: Avoid night and low-light riding periods. A rider’s best response when encountering a deer is to use both brakes for maximum braking and to keep your eyes and head up to improve your chances of keeping the bike up. If a crash is imminent, and there is enough space to swerve around the deer without leaving the roadway, use maximum braking and just before impact, attempt a swerve in the opposite direction the deer is traveling. Riders are encouraged to wear full-face helmets and full protective gear to prevent injury or death in a crash. High-visibility gear can assist other drivers in seeing you better; whether it’s while making an evasive maneuver to avoid a deer or laying on the roadway after hitting a deer.


* Don’t count on deer whistles or deer fences to deter deer from crossing roads.

* Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. If anything looks slightly suspicious, slow down.

* Slow down in areas known to have a large deer population — such as areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land; and whenever in forested areas between dusk and dawn.

* Deer do unpredictable things — they stop in the middle of the road when crossing; cross and quickly re-cross back; and move toward an approaching vehicle. Blow your horn to urge deer to leave the road. Stop if the deer stays on the road, don’t try to go around it.


* Any Minnesota resident may claim a road-killed animal by contacting a law enforcement officer. An authorization permit will be issued allowing the individual to lawfully possess the deer.

* If a deer is struck but not killed by a vehicle, keep a safe distance away as deer may recover and move on. If a deer does not move on, or poses a public safety risk, report the incident to a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer or other local law enforcement agency.

Sgt. Neil Dickenson is a public information officer with the Minnesota State Patrol.


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