Every Tuesday and Thurseday I have to go down a highway that is basically deer central. I've started to notice that they are usually in the same spot as all the other times I've seen them. There might be a stray deer or two somewhere else along the road, but if there is a huge clump of them it's always in this one spot. The problem is... I'm the only one who has seemed to notice this.
Of course, this is the area of that highway where people are always speeding.
So on Tuesday, I was driving home from work down this road and there was a group of 4 or 5 deer right next to the road. I slowed down, the car in the other lane coming towards me did not. I don't think he saw them. I wanted to do something to warn him, but didn't know what to do. The deer ran across the road, as they always do, and he BARELY missed hitting on of them.
On Thursday the same situation happened, but this time the other driver actually hit one of the deer. He was okay... His car and the deer weren't. I felt so guilty that I didn't warn him somehow (Not for him or his car, but for the deer that lost her life), but I had no idea what to do!
I thought of flashing my lights at him, but that would just make him think his brights were on and would distract him from the road even more.
I thought of honking my horn, but I didn't want to scare the deer onto the road.
I thought of maybe using my turn signal to signal towards the side of the road the deer are on, but I don't think anybody around me would know what I was trying to do.
So... Is there a way to warn the other drivers of the deer? Or do I just have to think about myself and let the other drivers worry about themselves?
Whenever I want to alert someone to something ahead, I flash my lights on and off a few times - even throw my hand up like I am saying stop. At the very least, it puts someone on alert.
I think I would try to contact the county and see if they would post a sign.
You could also write a letter to your local newspaper and bring it up that way.
Tis the season for deer.
What if you contacted the Highway Patrol and let them know that you have seen multiple deer in that specific area every day, and every day you are seeing people hit or nearly miss hitting them?
Ask if they could put up one of those snazzy light up warning signs (the kind on a trailer) temporarily until the rut is over and the deer aren't moving quite so much.
Deer are dangerous. I'm sure that the HP would do something if they knew that it was a consistent problem in that area.
Flashing your brights is a nice gesture, but it only works when you're there. So I think it's best if you figure out how to warn ALL of the drivers of the deer traffic in that area.
uuummm by using your hazard lights..pumping your breaks to get their attention....hopefully....even flashing your brights several times for people who are headed towards you...
that's what we do..
just like when people flash their high beams at you during the day when you are coming down a road - it's a warning there is a cop or something ahead...
I live in a area of high deer traffic and we always flash our lights at eachother to warn them. There is a difference (at least in the way I flash) If their brights are on I turn mine on til they turn theirs off. If there is deer or cops it is two quick flashes and that is it.
The light flashing is the most immediate way to alert another driver.
Instead of high beaming them, on, off, on, off.
In Western PA so e times people do the arm out the window and make the "slow down" (arm straight out, pushing down several times).
It's crossed my mind to do the Italian horns hand signal out the window!
There SHOULD be a universal sign/signal for this!
i warn by slowing down and flashing my lights once (i figure if they see both at once they'll know) for people coming towards M.. if someone is behind M. i slow down and put my hazards and maybe obviously swerve a bit even if i could get by without hitting them.
Flashing your lights is a good idea. So is calling your police department and asking about having a deer crossing sign put up.
I'd call the MN Highway Patrol or MN-DOT and ask them to put up a crossing sign. Although, that could get a bit confusing for some people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDLc9rkcXdY ;-)
flashing lights quickly is the standards warning signal.
honking your horn quickly would also work
putting on your flashers would also work.
Every year, every news station warns drivers, deers are running. The shame of it all is the idiots that don't listen only end up with a messed up car, the poor deer don't have a chance.
Just watch out for yourself.
I flash my lights if I am warning someone about something. Whether it be animals in the road or a cop hiding out behind a bush. :)
Hi V.,
I agree with the other mom who said contact Highway Patrol, but I would also contact your local animal rights coalition or animal humane society perhaps they have solutions. Can you put up a homemade sign on the side of the road where the deer are coming from each direction? I think you are very perceptive and kind to think of these poor deer. As for any oncoming cars I would flash my lights and honk. Good luck!
You are a wonderful person for thinking to warn someone of a potential danger. Maybe you could put your flashers on as you slow down.
We don't have any deer on our roads here, but when I drive into the less fortunate areas, there are a lot of people walking. I am surprised at how many people do not take the hint when there is a crosswalk ahead and the car beside them has slowed down. If I notice someone is not going to stop I do start blowing my horn because I certainly don't want to see anyone get hit by a car.
