Deer

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Ok, guys serious question since I"m officially out in "deer country" if by chance I have no time to stop. Do I hit the deer while speeding up? Slow down while bracing for impact? Or swerve?

I read slowing down actually pushes the "nose" of the car down thus making the accident worse. Is this true? Granted I don't want to hit anything but I've had a couple of close calls. Would like some opinions from those who have been there done that, compared to the "textbooks."

 

[Smart_Family]

I'd like to know too. We've had a couple close calls.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Smart you should know living in the "middle of nowhere" lol.

 

[Geisthexe]

DD .. When I lived in Michigan. I was told to speed bc yes the nose goes down and the accident can be worse.
I was lucky never had to use it bc in the dark I just drive slower then normal in deer season.

Hope you never have an accident

 

[Smart_Family]

I should know but I don't haha

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I don't want to but I know in the country it happens. Just want to have an idea to apply to the situation should it occur. Smart your fired! You should be a text book of information to various venues, not just on dog food. lol

 

[xtrain]

Since I live in Northern MI I will chime in. I understand the slowing causes car nose to lower, but that would depend on type of car. Are we talking an actual car or pickup/suv? With a car I would say yes dont slam the brakes. With a pickup or suv I dont see the nose diving far enough to worry about. Never, and I mean NEVER swerve. If you try to miss a deer, and ditch it, hit a tree, mailbox, or worse. (Another car or person) The insurance company will NEVER cover you for turning the wheel. That goes for any swerve to try to miss/avoid any type of accident. So I guess same speed or speed up is the answer I would give. I have hit deer and have had deer hit me. LOL

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Xtrain thanks for the chime, I don't know about others but I have a 99 chevy PU. I'll remember insurance companies only look out for themselves.....

 

[raechiemay]

I actually worried about this when driving back from Michigan last year after my grandpa's funeral. I was driving with my mom & it was my turn to drive through part of Oklahoma. It was dark & all I could see were eyes all down the side of the road. As I would pass by them I could see herds of them. I thought ohhh please stay there.

 

[Smart_Family]

Fine DD ill go sit in my corner haha. We have a civic and a truck. Deer scare the crap outta me when they run along the road.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

As long as they stay on the side I don't care. Usually I see them, even with no lights ( don't ask me how) on the side of the road before they venture. Its just the ones that have a death wish with my truck my other baby....

 

[cwayaustx]

I've never heard either way. I have ran over a few deer and usually you don't have time to do much of anything. If they were standing still in the middle of the road you would have time to stop but is never the case. Every one I have ran over decided to try to cross the road the same time I drove by. Don't panic and swerve or try to slam on your brakes, you drive a truck so unless by some freak accident the deer was to jump and come through your windshield(highly unlikely) the worst you will have to worry about is mior cosmetic damage, headlights, etc...

 

[raechiemay]

Maybe if you hit it at a high enough speed in a truck, you'll launch it, it will land in the back of your truck & guess what?!? Free deer meat!!!

And I'm going to hell in gasoline soaked clothes. I promise I love animals......

 

[cwayaustx]

I love them too, especially backstrap

 

[raechiemay]

Don't know if you watch duck dynasty Casey (sorry DD) but one episode Phil & Kay had a pet photographer over at there house & when Phil was asked if he loved animals, his response...

Yes....they are delicious.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Mythbusters proved that with moose it doesn't matter, your car is dead and you're injured regardless. Where you're driving a pickup I'd say either maintain speed or brake, avoid if you can do so without going into oncoming or off the road, but don't speed up.

From working at AAA I can tell you that an awefull lot of folks who hit deer with a larger vehicle drive away, at least far enough to get help.

 

[Smart_Family]

So pretty much I'm screwed if I'm driving the civic lol

 

[cwayaustx]

Don't know if you watch duck dynasty Casey (sorry DD) but one episode Phil & Kay had a pet photographer over at there house & when Phil was asked if he loved animals, his response...

Yes....they are delicious.

Hell yes I do and I seen that episode, it was freaking awesome. He wouldn't even shake that fruitloop's hand... sorry DD back to topic...

 

[ruthcatrin]

So pretty much I'm screwed if I'm driving the civic lol

actually a surprising number of smaller cars drive away too, mind, I don't always know the driving conditions, or how fast the person was going and what not, but a surprising number of people drive away from deer hits. The bigger cars do fair better though.

 

[Smart_Family]

Word one more excuse to not have to drive unless I have to haha. Thanks Ruth