One Less MSP on the road

[avarela86]

Never, ever, ever, EVER swerve for deer. Hit the brakes as hard as humanly possible but never swerve.
I've heard of some insurance companies denying claims because for all they know, you drove into the ditch on purpose. If you brake and still hit the deer, then at least you have some evidence of what happened.

And maybe dinner. (thumb)

I gotta say this is what I would do. Thank god there aren't deer in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Sucks you buried her with the built engine and all. I would've pulled it out and sold it for w/e I could get nor gotten another Protege. I personally don't like that year Bimmer. Sucks man...I really liked your car too. Good luck and hope to see you on here still in the future.

 

[aMaff]

Never, ever, ever, EVER swerve for deer. Hit the brakes as hard as humanly possible but never swerve.
I've heard of some insurance companies denying claims because for all they know, you drove into the ditch on purpose. If you brake and still hit the deer, then at least you have some evidence of what happened.

And maybe dinner. (thumb)

I gotta say this is what I would do.

It's what you THINK you would do. But I guarantee when placed in the situation with no time to think about it, you'd jerk the wheel like anyone else. Everyone knows you're not supposed to swerve. 99% of people don't have the time, presence of mind, or some combination thereof to actually make that happen in the .1 seconds between the deer jumping into the way and you hitting it.

 

[goldwing2000]

It's what you THINK you would do. But I guarantee when placed in the situation with no time to think about it, you'd jerk the wheel like anyone else. Everyone knows you're not supposed to swerve. 99% of people don't have the time, presence of mind, or some combination thereof to actually make that happen in the .1 seconds between the deer jumping into the way and you hitting it.

I think you underestimate how many deer cross the roads in Michigan. That is not what I THINK I would do, it IS what I have done and what I will continue to do. If you're always ready for the deer to jump out on front of you, then you're more likely to respond properly.

 

[avarela86]

It's what you THINK you would do. But I guarantee when placed in the situation with no time to think about it, you'd jerk the wheel like anyone else. Everyone knows you're not supposed to swerve. 99% of people don't have the time, presence of mind, or some combination thereof to actually make that happen in the .1 seconds between the deer jumping into the way and you hitting it.

LOL you don't know me.....I've taken out out two cats and one LARGE frog so far. Not proud of it but that's just me. A Deer might be more fun.

to respond properly.

DIE BAMBI!!!

 

[goldwing2000]

LOL you don't know me.....I've taken out out two cats and one LARGE frog so far. Not proud of it but that's just me. A Deer might be more fun.

LoL... I've been lucky enough to miss deer (straight-line braking ftw) but I don't even slow down for anything smaller than a dog. Cats, squirrels, possums... whatever. If it doesn't have the sense to look both ways, then it's gonna be road kill. Although I popped a BIG racoon one time that actually did pretty substantial damage to my old Toyota Tercel. Sure as hell didn't swerve, though! (thumb)

 

[Rally Ninja]

Never, ever, ever, EVER swerve for deer. Hit the brakes as hard as humanly possible but never swerve.
I've heard of some insurance companies denying claims because for all they know, you drove into the ditch on purpose. If you brake and still hit the deer, then at least you have some evidence of what happened.

And maybe dinner. (thumb)

I have heard this too from friends in the insurance industry. Hit the deer for proof.

 

[mspHtown]

I have heard this too from friends in the insurance industry. Hit the deer for proof.

as mentioned, people have died from hitting deer. the antlers go right through the windshield. its a lose lose situation either way.


atleast the OP is ok!

 

[goldwing2000]

as mentioned, people have died from hitting deer. the antlers go right through the windshield. its a lose lose situation either way.


atleast the OP is ok!

People have died from hitting trees and ditches, too. Best advice is to not drive with your head in the clouds, be aware of your surroundings and don't overdrive your headlights. (Not saying that blthlt was doing any of those things, sometimes it's just plain old bad luck) And I have to believe that the instances of people getting killed BY a deer are way lower than those of people getting killed AVOIDING a deer.

Basically, it's a crap shoot. If it's your time, it's your time. I'll take my chances with straightline braking. If I hit a deer, I'll duck.

edit: interesting info here: http://www.deercrash.com/

 

[mspHtown]

People have died from hitting trees and ditches, too. Best advice is to not drive with your head in the clouds, be aware of your surroundings and don't overdrive your headlights. (Not saying that blthlt was doing any of those things, sometimes it's just plain old bad luck) And I have to believe that the instances of people getting killed BY a deer are way lower than those of people getting killed AVOIDING a deer.

Basically, it's a crap shoot. If it's your time, it's your time. I'll take my chances with straightline braking. If I hit a deer, I'll duck.

i agree you need to be aware of your surroundings. you have to make the choice in a small amount of time. just hope you are never in his position.

 

[goldwing2000]

Michigan State Police said it better than I can:

http://www.semcog.org/assets/0/18/58/76/238/900410F6-E372-46E3-8507-AEE9D66238E7.wmv

 

[Wykydtron]

I heard somewhere to let go of the brake just as you're about to hit the deer to minimize the damage and to help prevent the deer from being thrown up to the windshield.