Seasonal deer alert
State Farm Insurance estimated that 2.3 million deer/vehicle collisions occurred in the U. S. in the two year period from July 2, 2008 to June 30, 2010--a 21.1% increase over five years earlier.
This is the season to slow down on country roads, especially at dusk and after dark, and be extra alert for movements at the periphery of your headlights.
posted by Bob Difley @ 10/11/2011 01:11:00 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
We have avoided several deer crashes, by simply tooting the horn when in areas that deer are present. Just touching the horn button once, waiting 4 seconds, and tooting once, 4 seconds, etc. gives the deer standing alongside the roadway notice that you are coming. It also allows them to orient themselves to your approach.
If the horn is held down, the resulting sound blast causes echos and doesn't give the deer a chance to figure out where you are.
Also, holding down the horn may cause it to burn out.... wonder how I know that!
Once, when approaching South Fork, Colorado, a herd of elk began to run alongside the fence and began to turn to cross the road. I began tooting the horn, slow steady toots, and as the lead elk turned toward the road, he dug in his hoofs and skidded to a stop in the snow... all the others followed suid and an accident was avoided.
If you are passing through an area where deer may be present, the "toot" may just save some downtime.
I agree, horn toots have saved me several times driving I-75 at night in northern Michigan. I see the deer standing or walking by the side of the road and toot the horn, and they stop in their tracks. So far, so good, anyway.
Tooting your horn may or may not work. Last week, my brother-in-law was driving down the road and a deer was running alongside. He began blowing his horn and after a few moments the deer tried, unsuccessfully, to jump over the car. The car was damaged but driveable, I don't know how the deer fared.
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