Truck Driver Safety: Deer Crossings
Article written by Jim Fairfield, Director of Safety & Human Resources
Okay, here’s your Safety Trivia Question of the Day (and you can use this at your next social gathering to impress your friends and competitive wannabe acquaintances). What causes $3.6 billion dollars of damage annually and is involved in 1.6 million vehicle accidents each year? If you guessed poorly inflated tires, go sit down…you’re wrong! The correct answer is Bambi and her band of brothers. Yes, deer are a major safety issue on America’s roadways.
Vehicle accidents involving deer are on the rise. The Deer-Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse state deer-vehicle crashes are “a significant and increasing transportation safety problem”. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) agree the 1.6 million deer-vehicle accidents are alarming and not likely to decrease. The age old question of “why did the deer cross the road” was addressed recently by Matt Tholen of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Matt explains it’s a mating issue. He says, “The does are running around and the males are focused on finding female deer. Deer are moving a lot more because of weather patterns, too”.
So, as the leaders of Deer Nation do not seem to be proactively training their frisky and very socially friendly deer population how to better mix with vehicles on the roadway, we’re going to take responsibility. What can professional CDL truck drivers do to prevent deer-vehicle crashes? State Farm Insurance and the ATA offer the following tips:
- Watch for posted “deer crossing” signs. Signs are added to roadsides where deer historically like to cross the roadways. If you see a sign, immediately convert to extra defensive driving mode.
- Be aware that deer are on the move most at dusk and dawn. Use your high beam headlights, as much as you safely can, during these times to illuminate the sides of the road where deer can be hanging out.
- Understand deer move in packs…deer gangs if you will. If you see one deer, there’s an excellent chance their posse is nearby.
- The experts say deer whistles are not an effective deterrent for the traveling animals. Don’t rely on them to keep you safe.
- When on the interstate during prime time for deer movement, when possible, use the middle lane. This gives you increased visibility and maximum reaction time should an adventurous deer dart out from the woods.
- If you see a deer, experts suggest “stay in your lane and don’t swerve”. Obviously slow down if it is safe to do so. With that in mind, watch for other motorists slowing for deer. Don’t hit them due to your inattention. Lastly, some drivers claim they have had success sounding their horn to scare the deer from the roadway.
- If hitting a deer is inevitable, as odd as it sounds, it is safest for you to hit the deer straight on. Research crash experts indicate hitting a deer while swerving increases the chance for personal injury.
Melissa Miles, senior research analyst for State Farm may have said it best. Melissa feels “While research has revealed several innovative ways to deter deer from entering the roadways and alerting drivers to the dangers of deer in the area, there will always remain a constant danger of deer-vehicle collisions.” She says “Undoubtedly, the best way to avoid deer-vehicle collisions is through attentive driving behavior.”
So, it does not appear Bambi or the Deer Nation are changing their behavior or attitude about safety on the roadways. Therefore, the ball falls in our court to increase our attentiveness on America’s roadways.
Be safe out there!
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