Do You Know These 4 Simple Things You Can Do To ‘Deer-Proof’ Your Vehicle?
They're natures wrecking balls, and if you're not careful they'll total your car, and I'm not talking about that neighborhood teenager who just got his license. I'm talking about deer.
Early spring and fall are two of the busiest season when it comes to spotting deer, which means these are the times of year you're the most likely to spot them running around your neighborhood. And don't think city dwellers are exempt, as deer are spotted roaming every metro in the state of Michigan during these seasons. Maybe you won't spot them downtown, but the suburbs and more forested areas still house deer.
Here are 4 easy things you can do to avoid a deer shaped dent in your vehicle.
1. Avoid driving at dawn and dusk
These are the times that deer are most likely to be out and active. While you'll still see them at other times of day, deer tend to be most active when the sun is rising and setting.
If you can't avoid the time of your commute, there are several other things you can do to make your odds better.
2. Install devices that warn deer of oncoming cars
There are two items you can get for your vehicle that will make it easier to scare deer away.
Streiter Lite reflectors help reflect headlights to create an optical illusion of a fence. That helps alert deer to oncoming vehicles. The best part? They have been reported to reduce deer/vehicle collisions by 60 to 100 percent.
Another object you can use is a Deer Deter device. They would alert deer to oncoming vehicles by combining a strobe light effect with ultrasonic high-pitched sounds. Many of these come in the form of a simple whistle that blows out of human ear range when your car is in motion.
3. Watch for group behavior
Deer love to hang out in a group, so if you see one you can almost absolutely assume the rest of their crew is nearby, but they may not immediately show their faces.
Slow down, and...
4. Be vigilant!
This one seems obvious, but it's easy to forget to watch out for deer. At night, use high beams so you are able to see further. High beams also offer more of a chance for deer's eyes to shine.
If you see those peepers, slow down and be ready for them to possibly make a move towards you or the road. If you're watching for deer, you're more likely to have a chance to avoid them.
Good luck this deer season, and if you'd like more tips on how you can avoid deer this fall, check out this helpful guide from the humane society.