OPP have addressed a number of collisions involving deer, moose and racoons recently, so they’ve prepared a number of tips on how to avoid these.
If you spot an animal on the road ahead, stay in control, reduce your speed as much as possible and steer in a straight direction.
You should avoid changing direction quickly as this increases the risk of losing control, running off the roadway, and/or rolling your vehicle.
It will help you avoid serious injury and reduce vehicle damage.
Some other helpful hints include visually scanning the ditches, and not just the road ahead of you.
By doing so you may spot deer or other wildlife approaching the road, and be able to take precautions.
Remember, where you see one deer, expect more.
Slow down. The slower you go, the more time you have to react.
Wildlife can move across roads at any time- but at night, watch for glowing eyes ahead.
Use caution when rounding a curve, or reaching the crest of a hill where visibility may be limited;
Ensure you are wearing your seatbelt. If you need to stop in a hurry, you want your body restrained to prevent unnecessary injury or possibly death.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please, stay safe.
By Rick Stow
