Along with hay rides, cooling temperatures, and brilliant foliage, Fall can bring some unexpected dangers to your commute. In late October and November, states across the nation see the fall mating season for white-tailed deer begin.
With this comes significant danger to drivers. During this time, deer become very active and unpredictable, covering large areas in search of a mate. A result of this is that drivers will often see groups of deer crossing roads.
This generates tens of thousands of deer-vehicle crashes every year, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. To help prevent this happening to you, please review the tips below:
If you spot a deer, slow down and pay attention to possible sudden movement. If the deer doesn’t move, don’t go around it. Wait for the deer to pass and the road is clear.
Pay attention to “Deer Crossing” signs. They are there for a reason. Slow down when traveling through areas known to have a high concentration of deer so you will have ample time to stop if necessary.
If you are traveling after dark, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. High beams will be reflected by the eyes of deer on or near roads.
If you see one deer, be on guard: others may be in the area. Deer typically move in family groups at this time of year and cross roads single-file.
Don’t tailgate. Remember: the driver in front of you might have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a deer.
Always wear a seatbelt, as required by law. Drive at a safe and sensible speed, taking into account weather, available lighting, traffic, curves and other road conditions.
If a collision appears inevitable, do not swerve to avoid impact. The deer may counter-maneuver suddenly. Brake firmly, but stay in your lane. Collisions are more likely to become fatal when a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead collides with oncoming traffic or a fixed structure along the road.
Report any deer-vehicle collision to a local law enforcement agency immediately.
We’ve talked before about the dangers of distracted driving, which is something that is becoming an increasingly important issue amongst teenagers. Reckless and distracted driving is the number one killer of teens in America! At CalCas, we’re committed to making the roads safer for our nation’s teenagers, which is why we’re so proud to be involved with events like this.
California Casualty, founding sponsor of Impact Teen Drivers, the Arizona Highway Patrol Association and members of local public safety organizations came together to support a teen/parent driving safety fair held recently in Avondale, AZ. The safety fair was organized and coordinated by Impact Teen Drivers Executive Director, Dr. Kelly Browning with sponsors Bill McAnally Racing and Get Real Behind the Wheel. An interactive presentation to the class was followed by hands-on driving instruction on a course designed for teens and parents to maneuver and heighten the awareness of distractions that occur while driving. Eric Holmes, three-time champion of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and an active supporter of Impact Teen Driver program, and program sponsor Bill McAnally, of Bill McAnally Racing were on hand to talk to the teens and their parents. Teens were also able to see what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of Eric Holmes’ show car.
We also teamed up with Identity Theft 911 to provide all of our Facebook fans a great guide to protecting yourself at tax time. We’re not advertising just yet, so I wanted to give blog readers first crack at it. We’re going to share a lot of Fans Only content in the coming year – so click that “Like” button and bookmark that page! Go here to get the guide.
Along with hay rides, cooling temperatures, and brilliant foliage, Fall can bring some unexpected dangers to your commute. In late October and November, states across the nation see the fall mating season for white-tailed deer begin.