Be extra aware on the road during deer season

It’s deer season in New Jersey, which means deer are more active than normal. Pay close attention to the roads when you’re driving over the next couple of months because hitting a deer can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Deer can be hard to see at night, so we’ve provided you with some tips on how to stay safe on the road during deer season.

Always have your bright lights on when driving at night. If you sometimes forget to put your high beams on when driving at night, do your best to remember to turn them on during deer season. You can see the reflection on the eyeballs of the deer much better and you can slow down in enough time to avoid hitting them. Plus, you might be able to see them a little farther in front of you so you can anticipate what move they are going to make.

Look out for deer crossing signs. We all see the deer crossing signs on the side of the road, but we don’t always pay close attention to them. Now is the time of year when you want to take them seriously and slow down and drive extra carefully when you see one. The state puts those signs in specific locations where deer traffic is high, so be sure to respect the warning and drive cautiously in those areas.

Remember basic safety factors when driving. Basic safety precautions should always be taken while driving at night, especially during deer season. Deer can run on the road unexpectedly, so don’t forget to wear your seatbelt. And especially don’t tailgate a vehicle in front of you. If they have to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting a deer, you don’t want to run into the back of them because you’re following too closely. Deer run in packs, so if you see one, chances are there are more coming behind it.

Plan ahead and take your time on the road. The best thing to do during these next couple of months is to plan ahead so you can take your time on the road and still arrive on time where you’re going. It’s getting darker earlier now, so the more time you can spend driving during daylight, the safer you’ll be and the better the chances will be that you can avoid seeing deer.

DeBoer’s Auto wants to help you stay safe on the road any way we can. For more tips like these or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at any time.

Bill DeBoer

Hamburg

Editor’s note: William J. DeBoer (Bill Jr.) is co-owner and vice president at DeBoer’s Auto on Route 23 in Hamburg.