Deer

Wisconsin State Patrol officials say that avoiding a deer collision is a combination of luck, anticipation and preparation. To assist with the anticipation and preparation, they have offered several tips for drivers, those include:

• Stay aware and alert when driving, especially at dawn and dusk
• Slow down as this allows you more time to react if you see a deer
• Heed deer crossing signs placed in areas with historically high number of crashes
• Drive defensively allowing more space between vehicles and wearing your seatbelt
• Make sure your brakes and tires are in good repair and headlights are properly aimed

One of the most important tips from the State Patrol, AAA Wisconsin, and insurance carriers is to remain in your own lane of traffic. All the experts agree that this one practice can drastically reduce the number of serious injuries in car deer accidents. It is advised that you hit your brakes, hit your horn, and even hit the deer if you must. However, a driver should never swerve into oncoming traffic and risk hitting another vehicle nor swerve into the ditch line and take the chance of hitting a fixed object, such as a tree or fence post.

Additionally, because deer move so quickly, braking but continuing to drive in your lane may mean you slow down enough to allow the deer to be gone before you impact it.

The State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has also issued a reminder to motorists who hit a deer to report the crash to local law enforcement authorities to satisfy any reporting restrictions your insurance carrier may have in place.