Why You Shouldn’t Speed Up to Hit a Deer

OKEMOS, Mich. – In 2014, State Farm ranked Michigan 10th in the nation for vehicle-deer collisions, which totaled 45,690, according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts. 

With a 1-in-97 chance of hitting a deer in this state, you need know how to properly react to a deer jumping in front of your vehicle. Despite what you may have been told, there is a significant reason for why you shouldn’t speed up to hit a deer.

Many assume speeding up to hit a deer will mitigate the danger of the situation and reduce potential for serious vehicle damage. The idea is that by moving faster your car will be more likely to cut through the deer or essentially plow it out of your path.

However, this is utterly untrue; hitting a deer at a high speed delivers a greater force of impact. The deer absorbs that force and returns it to your vehicle. This is the main reason why you shouldn’t speed up to hit a deer.

When you can’t avoid hitting a deer, you should apply the brakes, firmly grasp the steering wheel with both hands, and continue forward until you come to a stop. Hitting a deer at a slower speed will reduce your potential for injury and vehicle damage.

Speeding up to hit a deer can also cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Moving at a high speed and barreling into a 250-pound deer is an easy way to find yourself in a ditch rather than between the lines of a road.

Speaking of losing control, another approach drivers take to avoiding a vehicle-deer collision is swerving, but this action could endanger you even more than speeding up to hit a deer. Swerving could take you into oncoming traffic or a tree, neither of which is a better target than a deer. Fight your reflexes to swerve and just hit the deer.

The peak time for deer activity is between October and December, and you can avoid a vehicle-deer collision altogether by following a few cautionary steps when you’re on the road this fall:

• Pay attention when driving at night. Deer are nocturnal animals so their most active hours are when the sun goes down.

• Use your high beams at night to spot deer up ahead before it’s too late. Extra light could give you the few extra seconds you need to slow down or stop.

• Watch out for deer that are crossing roads. If woods border the road you’re driving on, or if you see a deer crossing sign, it’s likely that a deer could appear at any moment.

• If you see a deer cross the road ahead of you, don’t assume you’re in the clear. Deer like to travel in groups, which means there could be more following the one you saw.

If you’re faced with the tough decision to hit a deer, remember this handy mnemonic: Don’t veer for deer. Apply the brakes and follow through. Afterwards, notify the local authorities and wait for them to show up. Stay in your vehicle and don’t approach the deer because it could still be alive, and your presence could startle it, causing you and other drivers more danger.

While we hope you don’t experience the mess of a vehicle-deer collision this fall, remember that our Williamston area auto service experts are here to help you get the car repair you need after an accident.

Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is committed to providing you with integrity and convenience, all close to home. Let our friendly team of Chevy professionals at Hank Graff Okemos help you –– simply call us at (517) 349-8300 or visit our showroom, located at 1748 W. Grand River Okemos, MI 48864. We’re just minutes from Lansing!

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