November is an active mating time for deer population in Oklahoma and with this increase comes the danger of deer crossing the roads causing safety concerns for drivers. According to a leading insurance company, the average cost of a deer and car collision costs on average anywhere between $423 – $6,250. As you can see this is a really big range which means you can get away with minor bumper accident or a major system repair. In this article we’ll share deer season safety driving tips so you can minimize the damage caused on your car if you ever collide with a deer.
Be extra careful at dawn and dusk
The first important deer season safety driving tip is to be extra careful when you’re driving at dawn and dusk. Deer tend to move about during these times and chances are high that they’ll be crossing roads at this time. So if you’re driving around sunrise or sunset then take extra precaution. The other reason to be extra careful at these times is because visibility on the road is usually not very good making it hard to notice deer crossing.
Use high-beam headlights where necessary
This deer season safety driving tip builds on the last one. Since visibility on the road is not very good, it’s a good idea to use high-beam headlights when there are no cars close by. The extra brightness will allow you to catch any moving animals on either side of the road so you’re prepared to slow down.
Don’t swerve; slow down
In the unfortunate event that you find yourself with a deer-in-the-headlights situation, do not swerve. If you swerve you may end up hitting another car or find yourself stuck in a ditch. Your best option is to try and slow down until you come to a stop. This way you limit the severity of the collision with the deer. As you do that, go ahead and use your car horn for a period of time to try and catch the deer’s attention. Very loud sound has an effect on animals and can help get the deer to run away.
Be aware of deer crossing zones
Some areas have the deer crossing zones which should alert you to the fact that there’s a high chance of running into deers. If you see it, slow down even if you don’t see any deer around just as a precaution.
If you hit a deer…
Hitting a deer is a scary thing. In many cases it happens very suddenly and at this point there’s nothing you can do. If you hit a deer, here are steps you need to take:
- Pull over to the side of the road if your car is drivable. If your car is not drivable, you can carefully leave your car and move to the side where it’s secure and away from traffic.
- Call 911 and report this incident. This helps in 2 ways: 1) the police can arrange disposing off of the deer and clearing the road for other drivers, and 2) by filling out an official report you’ll be able to get your insurance claim processed faster.
- Call your insurance agent and report the incident so you can start processing the claim. The quicker you start the claim process the better.
- Don’t try to pull the animal by yourself. The animal may not be really dead and can jump or kick and cause you bodily harm.
Repair for your damaged car
When you get hit by a deer you can have a range of car issues from cracked windshield to busted radiator and even worse. That’s why you need to take your car to a certified collision center near you. A reputable collision repair shop like Davis Paint & Collision Auto Center will help restore your car to its original form and even help you process auto insurance claim. We have helped hundreds of Oklahomans fix their cars after a deer collision and can do the same for you. Checkout a location closest to you: Oklahoma City location (405) 733-9797 or Midwest City location (405) 732-0762.
