Here Are Some Tips To Avoid Hitting Deer On MI Roads

Michigan drivers are striking deer at an alarming rate.

In 2023 alone, there were more than 58,000 vehicle-deer crashes across Michigan in rural, suburban, and city settings, according to state officials.

Officials said most of the crashes happened during dawn and dusk hours from April through June and from October through December.

Here are some tips to avoid a deer on the road:

• Stay alert, awake, aware, and sober, and drive at safe speeds.
• Notice where deer crossing signs are posted, which alert drivers of the possible presence of deer.
• Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for deer to dash out in front of you.
• Scan the roadside while driving, especially woodlots, fencerows, field edges, and areas near water, which deer use for feeding.
• Slow down. Be prepared to stop if deer are near the road. If a deer stops and stays on the road, do not try to go around it.
• Deer typically follow one another in a single file, so if you see one deer, there are likely more nearby.
• Use high-beam headlights and additional driving lights to see the road better.
• Look for the reflection of headlights in a deer’s eyes and deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road.

If a crash is unavoidable, officials say:

• Do not veer! It is instinct to do this, but trying to avoid a deer may cause a loss of control of the vehicle and a more serious traffic crash.
• Brake firmly and try to stay in your lane.
• Hold the steering wheel with both hands and bring your vehicle to a controlled stop.