Driving Safety: Memorial Day Holiday and Deer Collision Accidents

I just wanted to put out a quick reminder as we enter one of the busiest driving holidays in America: Memorial Day. It is estimated by AAA that 34.9 million American’s will be traveling a distance greater than 50 miles. So please be extra cautious and well-rested in your traveling over the Memorial Day holiday.

Deer migration over Highway 395 and the Eastern Sierra is greater than normal this year.  Heavy snow packs have blocked many migration passes and routes. Deer are lower in the valleys and crossing highways on a daily basis.

Some things to keep in mind to lessen your chance of a collision with a deer:
 
Deer are most active at DAWN and DUSK moving to and from water sources and over roadways. 

Deer crossing signs are placed strategically along major deer migration areas, deer use the same migration routes year after year, there just happens to be a road crossing their routes.
    
Use your high-beams as much as possible. This will give you additional reaction time to slow down or stop. 

Drive less than the speed limit in areas of known deer crossings; this will decrease the amount of breaking distance you need and increase your reaction time.

Have your passengers help you watch. If there is one deer, there are most likely several deer. If one deer crosses the road, slow down because there is likely another following behind it.

Don’t swerve to avoid a deer. Swerving may cause you to lose control and result in a more serious accident.

Check out this guide to preventing or dealing with deer-vehicle collisions.
 

Have a great Memorial Day and remember to thank a veteran!