Deer season driving tips from Solebury Township Police

With deer season approaching, deer herds will begin moving more aggressively, warn Solebury Township Police, who offer the following advice:

Deer Season Driving Tips

• Always wear your seat belt – Sixty percent of fatal animal crashes occurred when the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
• Know the likely deer-crossing zones – Whether or not a road is marked with a Deer Crossing Sign, be especially alert for deer when driving on roads or highways on the outskirts of town and in rural areas – especially where roads divide farm land from wooded land.
• Use your high beams – When driving at night, especially during peak hazard times, use your high-beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. This won’t necessarily deter the deer from entering the roadway, but it will increase visibility so that you can more easily spot the deer sooner.
• Know when deer are on the move – Be especially careful between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and midnight.
• Don’t rely on devices – Items like deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors have not been proven effective at deterring deer crossing roadways.
• Brake firmly if you notice a deer near the road – Slow down and stop if necessary. Be careful not to swerve out of your lane either into on-coming traffic or off the shoulder and into a ditch.
• Keep your distance – If you do strike a deer, don’t approach it. An injured deer is frightened and can injure you as well as further injuring itself. If the deer is blocking the roadway, it poses a threat to other drivers; so call the authorities immediately.
• Contact your insurance agent – If you strike a deer and have damage to your vehicle or someone’s property, notify your insurance representative as soon as possible and provide the necessary details.