Collisions with animals — Tennessee Permit Test

Be especially alert for deer at dusk and dawn, when they come out to feed.

Deer move most in dim light, just when they are hardest to see. Knowing the time helps you slow down and scan the roadside.

Be particularly alert at dusk and dawn, when these animals venture out to feed.

Fall is the peak season for deer-car crashes, because it is both mating and hunting season.

In the fall deer roam far from their usual woods. They turn up on roads where you may never have seen one before.

Fall is the peak season for deer-car crashes.

If you see one deer, expect that there may be several others nearby.

Deer often travel in groups. Speeding up once the first one crosses can put you right into the path of the next one.

If you see one deer, there may be several others nearby.

Deer tend to fixate on headlights, so flashing your headlights may make a deer freeze in the road.

A frozen deer stays right in your lane. Flashing your lights to scare it can keep it in the very spot you are heading for.

Deer tend to fixate on headlights, so flashing them may cause the animal to freeze in the road.

If a collision with an animal seems unavoidable, do not swerve; keep your vehicle under control and on the roadway.

Swerving for a deer can roll the car, hit a tree or cross into oncoming traffic. Hitting the animal is usually less dangerous to you.

If a collision seems inevitable, don’t swerve to avoid the animal; your risk of personal injury may be greater if you do.

Report a crash to the police if it involves a large animal such as a deer or farm animal.

A dead deer or cow left on the road is a hazard for the next driver. The police need to know so it can be cleared.

Report the crash to the police if it involves a large animal such as a deer or farm animal.

When should you be most alert for deer on the road?

Around dusk and dawn. Deer move most in dim light, just when they are hardest to see. Knowing the time helps you slow down and scan the roadside. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.97: “Be particularly alert at dusk and dawn, when these animals venture out to feed.”