Watch Out for Wildlife on the Road
Deer, opossum and squirrels, oh my!
Wherever and whenever you are driving your , wildlife poses a serious road hazard. Whether you鈥檙e leaving early for work in the morning or returning home after staying late, you may want to drive a little slower. Animals can appear on the road when you least expect it.
鈥淏e extra cautious at dawn and dusk,鈥 said an AAA spokesperson. 鈥淢ost animals, especially deer, tend to be more active early in the morning and at dusk.鈥
Slow down and use extra caution when traveling through areas with a high and active wildlife population. You can expect increased activity during the fall months. Hunting and mating season, for example, tend to be this time of year.
In the event you do see deer or smaller animals in the middle of the roads, AAA advises drivers to stay in their lane.
鈥淎pply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane,鈥 the AAA spokesperson said. 鈥淪werving to avoid an animal can often cause a more serious crash or result in drivers losing control of their vehicles.鈥
That being said, be sure to leave plenty of braking distance between yourself and the driver in front of you. If an animal unexpectedly ventures out onto the road and the driver ahead of you comes to a sudden stop, increasing your braking distance will also increase your reaction time.
糖心传媒 realizes that accidents may happen, so if you鈥檙e planning on driving your from dusk to dawn, it may be a good idea to consider one of . Some options are a Limited Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Insurance and Supplemental Liability Insurance.
To further prevent an animal-vehicle collision, AAA suggests that you follow these :
- Wear your seatbelt. Always remain alert while behind the wheel.
- Scan the road ahead of you. Give yourself enough reaction time in case you have to brake suddenly. Keep in mind, some animals move in groups. When you see one, expect to see more.
- Turn on your high beam headlights. Use these to help you spot an animal even sooner if there鈥檚 no oncoming traffic. You may also be able to spot some animals鈥 reflective eyes in the dark.
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By Chris Abruzzo