What should you do if you see a deer crossing the road?

When you see a deer crossing the road, the best course of action is to slow down and be cautious. This approach allows you to reduce your speed, making it easier to react if the deer suddenly changes direction or if other deer are nearby. Slowing down gives you more time to assess the situation and avoid a potential collision, which could result in serious damage to your vehicle and injury to yourself or the animal.

Being cautious is particularly important because deer can be unpredictable. They often move in groups, so if you see one crossing, there may be others close behind. Reducing your speed increases your chances of safely navigating past the deer without hitting it.

Other approaches, such as slamming on the brakes or speeding up, can lead to additional danger. Slamming on the brakes might cause you to lose control of the vehicle, especially in wet or icy conditions. Honking your horn could startle the deer or other wildlife, which might cause them to freeze in the road or move erratically. Speeding up is not advisable, as it increases the risk of collision if the deer does not move out of the way in time.