What To Do When a Deer Is in the Road: How to Stay Safe Behind the Wheel
Every year, thousands of drivers are caught off guard by deer darting across the road—especially during the fall and winter months. If you’ve ever wondered what to do if a deer is in the road, you’re not alone. Many people instinctively swerve, slam on the brakes, or freeze. Unfortunately, those reactions can lead to serious accidents.
Whether you're driving on a quiet backroad or a busy highway, knowing what you should do when you come across a deer in the road can help you stay calm and avoid harm.
If you suffered injuries or losses because a driver caused a wreck trying to avoid a deer in the road, contact a car accident lawyer near you today for a free consultation.
Why Deer in the Road Are So Common
Drivers tend to see more deer on the roads in late fall and early winter. This is mating season—also called the rut—when deer are more active, especially around dawn and dusk. In states like Connecticut, deer collisions peak in November and December.
At the same time, Daylight Saving Time makes it darker earlier in the evening. Reduced visibility plus increased animal activity means more risk for drivers. And deer don’t understand traffic laws—they’ll run into the road without warning.
What Should You Do When You Come Across a Deer in the Road?
Coming across a deer in the road is more common than you might think, especially in rural or wooded areas and during the fall and winter months. If it happens to you, your reaction in those first few seconds can make all the difference.
Knowing what to do when a deer is in the road isn’t just about protecting the animal—it’s also about protecting yourself, your passengers, and other drivers. Reacting improperly—like swerving or slamming on the brakes—can lead to serious or even fatal accidents.
Here’s what you should do if you suddenly encounter a deer while driving.
1. Slow Down Immediately—but Brake Safely
The first and most important thing you should do is slow down, but do it carefully. Sudden braking can cause your car to skid, especially on wet or icy roads.
If you see a deer on or near the road, take your foot off the gas pedal and begin braking smoothly. This gives you more control and gives the deer a chance to move away.
Many drivers panic and swerve. Avoid that reaction. It’s often safer to hit the deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic or off the road into trees, guardrails, or ditches.
2. Keep the Steering Wheel Straight
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the safest move is usually to stay in your lane and keep the steering wheel steady. Swerving is one of the most dangerous reactions in these situations.
If you jerk the wheel suddenly to avoid the animal, you could lose control and cause a more serious crash. A head-on collision with another vehicle or hitting a tree at high speed often results in much more severe injuries than hitting the deer directly.
If an impact is unavoidable, it's better to hit the deer while maintaining full control of your vehicle.
3. Flash Your High Beams or Honk (If You Have Time)
If you spot the deer far enough in advance, you may have a chance to warn it off the road.
- Flashing your high beams might cause the deer to move, but be aware that sometimes deer will freeze in headlights, which is where the term "deer in the headlights" comes from.
- A light tap on your horn can also encourage the animal to leave the road.
Don't rely on these methods if the deer is too close—it’s more important to slow down and maintain control.
4. Watch for More Deer Nearby
If you see one deer, there are likely more. Deer tend to travel in herds, and a second or third animal could cross the road just moments after the first. Even if the initial deer moves on, stay alert and move slowly through the area for at least another few hundred feet.
This is why it's important not to accelerate quickly after spotting or passing a deer.
5. Turn On Your Hazard Lights
If the deer remains in the roadway or if you've had to stop suddenly, activate your hazard lights to alert drivers behind you. This gives them more time to slow down and prevents rear-end collisions.
Hazard lights are especially important at night or in poor weather when visibility is low.
6. Stay Calm and Focused
After a close call, it’s natural to feel shaken. Take a deep breath, keep your eyes on the road, and drive cautiously for the next few miles. If you're still nervous or unsure, it’s okay to pull over when it's safe and take a few moments to collect yourself.
Staying calm helps you make better decisions and react more effectively.
What If the Deer Doesn't Move?
Sometimes, a deer will freeze in the road or appear stunned. If you can stop in time and it’s safe to do so:
- Wait a few seconds to see if it moves on its own.
- Do not exit your vehicle and try to scare it off, especially if you're near a curve, hill, or blind spot.
- If the deer remains in the road and becomes a hazard, call non-emergency police or local animal control. They can help clear the area safely.
What to Do If You Can’t Avoid Hitting the Deer
Sometimes, no matter how carefully you drive, you just can’t avoid a collision. If a deer suddenly jumps in front of your vehicle, here’s what to do when a deer is in the road and impact is likely:
1. Brake Firmly, But Don’t Skid Out of Control
Slamming the brakes can cause the front of your car to dip or cause you to lose control. Experts recommend easing off the brakes slightly right before impact.
2. Keep the Wheel Straight
Try to hit the deer head-on rather than glancing off it. This may sound harsh, but it reduces your risk of losing control or hitting something worse.
3. Turn on Your Hazard Lights
After the collision, pull over safely and turn on your flashers to alert other drivers.
4. Stay Inside Your Car
If the deer is injured or still moving, don’t approach it. Call authorities or animal control for help.
5. Call the Police and Document the Damage
Some states require reporting deer collisions, especially if there's property damage or injuries. Take photos for insurance and speak with local police if needed.
Common Mistakes Drivers Make Around Deer
Even experienced drivers can make dangerous decisions in the split second they see a deer in the road. The key to staying safe isn’t just knowing what to do if a deer is in the road—it’s also about avoiding the most common mistakes that can turn a close call into a serious accident.
Here are the most frequent—and most dangerous—errors drivers make when they come across a deer on or near the roadway.
1. Swerving to Avoid the Deer
This is, by far, the most common mistake—and one of the most dangerous. Swerving at high speed or without checking your surroundings can cause you to:
- Crash into oncoming traffic
- Hit a tree, utility pole, or guardrail
- Roll your vehicle, especially in SUVs or trucks
- Lose control and leave the road entirely
While it’s natural to want to avoid hitting the animal, swerving often puts your life—and the lives of others—in much greater danger. If a crash is unavoidable, it’s usually safer to hit the deer than to veer into another lane or off the road.
2. Speeding in High-Risk Areas
Many drivers underestimate how quickly a deer can appear, especially in wooded or rural areas. Speeding reduces your reaction time and increases the force of impact if a crash does occur.
Deer-related accidents are far more likely during:
- Early morning or late evening hours (dawn and dusk)
- Late fall and early winter (during mating season)
- Poor weather or low-visibility conditions
If you're driving through an area marked with deer crossing signs—or if you’ve seen deer recently—it’s smart to slow down, even below the posted limit. That extra second or two could make all the difference.
3. Driving Distracted
Looking down at your phone or fiddling with the radio might seem harmless for a moment—but that’s all it takes for a deer to appear in your lane. Distracted driving significantly reduces your ability to react quickly and safely.
When traveling through areas where wildlife is common, it’s best to:
- Stay off your phone
- Avoid multitasking (eating, adjusting GPS, etc.)
- Keep both hands on the wheel
Spotting a deer even one or two seconds earlier gives you more time to respond and helps you avoid overreacting.
4. Forgetting to Watch for Additional Deer
Deer almost never travel alone. If you see one cross the road, chances are high that more are nearby. Some drivers accelerate quickly once the first deer passes—but that can put you directly in the path of another animal.
Once you’ve seen a deer in the area, remain cautious for at least a few hundred yards. Watch both sides of the road and reduce your speed until you're clear of the potential group.
5. Not Wearing a Seatbelt
In any collision—whether with an animal, a tree, or another vehicle—your seatbelt is your most important safety tool. Unfortunately, some drivers let their guard down in rural areas or on short drives and don’t buckle up.
Wearing your seatbelt:
- Helps keep you positioned properly behind the wheel
- Reduces the risk of being thrown forward in a crash
- Improves your chances of walking away from the accident unharmed
Whether you're driving across the state or just a few miles to a store, always buckle up—especially in deer-prone regions.
6. Overusing High Beams Without Caution
High beams are useful for spotting deer on dark roads, but many drivers use them incorrectly. Flashing your high beams at a deer might help, but it can also cause the animal to freeze in place rather than flee.
Instead, use high beams to scan for eyeshine—the reflection of the lights in the deer’s eyes. If you spot a deer with time to react, slow down. Don’t rely on your lights to scare the animal away.
7. Assuming It Won’t Happen to You
Deer collisions are more common than many people realize. According to insurance industry data, over 1.5 million deer-vehicle crashes happen every year in the U.S.—causing hundreds of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and billions in vehicle damage.
Assuming you won’t encounter a deer—or thinking you’ll know what to do in the moment—is risky. It’s better to drive with awareness and a plan, especially during peak season.
Tips to Avoid Hitting Deer in the First Place
Prevention is always better than dealing with a crash. These habits help lower your risk of a deer-related accident:
Stay Focused on the Road
Avoid using your phone, eating, or doing anything else that takes your attention away. You’ll need to react quickly if a deer appears.
Look for Deer Crossing Signs
These signs are placed in areas with a history of deer activity. When you see one, slow down and scan your surroundings.
Keep Your Vehicle Maintained
Good brakes, tires, and headlights all play a role in your ability to react to sudden obstacles like animals in the road.
What to Do After a Deer Collision
If you’ve hit a deer, it’s important to follow the right steps to stay safe and handle the aftermath properly:
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries.
- Pull over to a safe spot and turn on hazard lights.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the deer is blocking traffic.
- Take photos of the scene and the damage to your vehicle.
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
Even if the car seems drivable, hidden damage could make it unsafe.
Final Thoughts: Stay Safe and Be Prepared
Deer are beautiful animals, but they can create real dangers for drivers. Knowing what to do when a deer is in the road—whether that means slowing down, avoiding sudden moves, or reacting safely to a collision—can protect you, your passengers, and others on the road.
If a driver caused a crash trying to avoid a deer and hurt you or a loved one, you may qualify to receive compensation. The Connecticut personal injury attorneys at The Flood Law Firm can review your case at no cost and advise you of your options. Contact us now for a free consultation.
