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AS the days grow shorter, drivers should be aware of seasonal road hazards that can cause deadly crashes.
Wildlife and traffic experts have warned drivers to “prepare for the unexpected” this fall.
Drivers should watch out for seasonal road hazards this fall[/caption]
Autumn is deer mating season, meaning the creatures are more likely to be roaming around the roads[/caption]
That’s because autumn is deer mating season, and the furry critters are especially active from mid-October through November.
Drivers will notice more majestic mammals grazing alongside the roadside after nightfall as food becomes more limited.
While the sightings can be charming, it also means there’s a higher risk of crashes.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are about 1.5 million deer collisions in the US annually.
An average of 150 of these crashes result in death, and the majority of drivers report nearly $4,000 worth of damage to their cars.
Drivers can take preventative measures to reduce their risk of a crash and protect the mating deer.
According to the Virginia Department of Transporation, drivers should “use caution everywhere, but especially near forest areas, along streams, and in locations where deer crossing signs have been installed.”
Key steps should also be taken if a driver notices a deer standing in the middle of the road.
It’s instinctual to swerve to the other side of the road to avoid the deer, but doing so is incredibly dangerous, as you might lose control of your car.
The veering could cause you to slam into another car or drive into a steep ditch.
Instead, drivers should try braking as slowly as possible and anticipate sudden movements from the deer.
This is because creatures could appear to be running clear across the road but stop in the middle at the last minute.
After seeing a deer, slow down your driving as they run in groups so there’s likely to be others nearby.
If it’s nighttime, turn on your high-beam headlights and keep a careful eye on the sides of the roads where deer are more likely to be hiding.
Heavily forested areas near streams and rivers should also be driven through with extreme caution due to the number of creatures living there.
If you hit a deer, you should immediately pull to the side of the road and put your hazard lights on.
Stay in your car and call 911 for help. If the deer is still alive, it could attack you.
Drivers should take extra caution after daylight saving time when the sun goes down an hour earlier.
This year, daylight saving time begins on November 3.
The driver’s warning comes after a deranged deer was captured crashing through the front of a bus and injuring three passengers.
