Most of us have been in a terrifying situation where an animal darts out in front of our vehicles. Our natural response might be to freeze up or quickly swerve to avoid hitting them, but those reactions could do more harm than good. We’ve compiled a list of safety tips for how to avoid collisions with wildlife.
Look Ahead
To avoid potential collisions, you should constantly be scanning the road ahead of you in order to spot wildlife in enough time to stop your vehicle. However, if you weren’t looking ahead, once you spot an animal, quickly scan the road and shoulder ahead of you. Look for anything that may hinder you from stopping if you had to merge onto the shoulder, and pay attention to any oncoming traffic. Never cross the yellow line when another vehicle is approaching.
Also, keep in mind that many animals travel in packs. If you see one, there’s a good chance that more are around that you might not be able to see.
Use High Beams
As long as there is no oncoming traffic and you are far enough away from vehicles in front of you, turn on your high beams when traveling at night. Not only will you be able to see a greater distance, but the brighter lights will also reflect off the eyes of animals, so you’ll be able to spot them easier. This will give you extra time to slow your vehicle and honk the horn to scare away the animals from the road. Be careful if you’re driving around dawn or dusk because many animals tend to be active during those times.
Pay Attention to Animal Crossing Signs
Do you know those yellow signs that warn about animals crossing the road? They’re posted for a reason. Those areas have a denser population of those animals, so pay close attention when you see one and slow down. You should also become familiar with the other reasons that animals may be more likely to wander across the road, such as hunting season or mating season.
When a Collision Is Unavoidable
Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to avoid hitting an animal. In those cases, firmly apply the brakes and keep the vehicle in your lane. Swerving may cause you to lose control and create an even worse accident. If you do hit an animal, safely pull off the side of the road and never touch it, even if you’re only trying to help it. Immediately call 911 to file a police report. The police report may come in handy when you file a claim with your insurance.
The most important thing to remember is to stay as calm as possible. Always keep your vehicle under control and follow the speed limit. It should go without saying, but censuring that you and your passengers are wearing a seatbelt can also prevent serious injury during an accident. We hope that reading through this list will give you the tools to handle a potentially dangerous collision situation.