Deer Season: Avoiding a Collision‏

A message to all Fleet drivers from Carol Ryan, Senior Director, Corporate Environmental Health and Safety.

Deer-vehicle collisions are three times more likely to occur on a day in November than they are on any day between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31. October is the second most likely month for a crash involving a deer and a vehicle. December is third. Collisions with deer and other large animals can cause significant damage to vehicles, injuries to the driver and passengers and suffering to the animal.

Here are some proactive driving tips to help you avoid hitting a large animal and to limit or avoid damage to your vehicle:

• Deer collisions typically happen from sunset to midnight and in the hours before and after sunrise. Be especially alert during these times.
• Drive carefully through areas with high deer populations and deer crossing zones. Deer typically travel in numbers, so where you see one, there are likely others.
• When traveling at night, use your high beams whenever possible.
• If you see deer, slow down and blow your horn to frighten them away. Stay in your lane and brake firmly. Many deer-related accidents are caused by one car hitting another while attempting to avoid an animal.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Do not rely on deer whistles to repel deer.

Please download the Risk Control “Animal and Vehicle Collisions” document below for more detail.

Animal_Vehicle_Collision