An early fall seems very likely with the temperatures already dropping. Fall means romance is in the air – for most deer!!
Deer will be more active as the season changes to fall. There are two main reasons: “romance” or the rut as deer hunters know it and of course, hunting season. Yes, there are other types of animals that can wander out into the path of a commercial vehicle, but none quite as common as the white-tail deer.
Let’s examine some of the issues and how we can support our drivers to be prepared for and prevent accidents from deer on the highway. Tips you can share with your drivers are included after each section (in bold italics).
Where are the deer? As we review loss information, deer accidents take place all year long, even though they are more frequent during the fall. The most obvious answer to where the deer are, are the warning signs posted on the highways. Next, watch for highways that travel through heavily wooded areas, farm fields, creeks or ravines. All these areas provide cover, food and water.
Increase your awareness and scan a wider area of the shoulder. Deer WILL be on the move and will be even less aware than other times of the year.
What will the deer do? Become familiar with how deer think and move. They don’t have huge mental capacity and this is even further diluted when they are “looking for love,” hungry, or being shot at!! The answer for what they will do – step out in front of your truck and NOT move.
Expect deer to be on the highway, especially at dawn and dusk or around woods, creeks, and farm fields.
How can deer strike accidents be avoided? Be alert, slow down, controlled brake, and STAY IN THE LANE OF TRAVEL. Sounds pretty easy doesn’t it? This is the most challenging part of preventing deer accidents. We are “programmed” as human beings to try to avoid things in our way. This is why we blink or duck when something comes at us. The damages caused by trying to miss a deer instead of hitting it are MUCH worse and can include having an accident with another vehicle or running off the road and rolling the vehicle.
When a deer is in your lane or even on the shoulder, slow down and stay in your lane. It is better to hit the deer than try to avoid and have a more serious accident.
Deer “control” devices on the truck? Most companies that run deer whistles or alerts are convinced that they work. They are inexpensive and are one more line of defense to prevent deer accidents even if their functionality is proven or not. Deer bumpers are also an excellent means of limited damage to the front of the truck under the “hit the deer” method of preventing more serious accidents from trying to swerve and miss the deer.
Deer whistles are a good control but in the end, it is better to HIT THE DEER than try to avoid it and cause more harm to you, other cars and families, and your truck.
As frustrating as they are, deer on the highway and hitting them are a part of the trucking industry. Use the tips provided in this article to remind your drivers of increased deer activity. The goal is to get them home safely and the customer’s freight delivered in the same condition as when it was loaded.