That Split Second the Deer Really Does Appear in the Headlights

We all half expect it. When will that deer run across the road in front of our car when there is no time to stop? We may never know, but these scenarios are very helpful inasmuch as they flag the most likely times it'll happen. 

Most collisions between vehicles and deer occur in the fall and early winter. That’s why Amica Insurance is offering tips to help keep drivers and their passengers safe in the event of a deer crossing.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), two-thirds of vehicle/deer collisions take place in October, November and December – the start of breeding season. The DEC encourages motorists to take the following precautions:

• Pay close attention when traveling through areas with deer crossing signs. Signs are placed in spots with a high volume of vehicle/deer collisions.
• Be especially careful when driving at dawn and dusk – peak commuting times – since deer are more active and it’s harder to see at those times.
• If a deer is spotted along the roadside, slow down because it may dart into the road at the last second.
• If one deer crosses the road, there may be more behind it. Be sure to slow down and exercise extreme caution.
• Use flashers or headlight signals to alert other drivers that deer have been spotted on or close to the road.

Amica Mutual Insurance Co., the nation’s oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907.