Preventing wildlife vehicle collisions: Safety tips for drivers
August 15, 2025
You’re driving along, eyes on the road, when a sudden movement catches your attention—a deer standing just beyond the shoulder. In seconds, it steps forward, and the situation shifts from routine to urgent. Encounters like this can happen on any roadway, from rural backroads to busy highways, and they require quick, informed decision-making.
On an annual basis animal vehicle collisions cause about 26,000 injuries and 200 deaths in the U.S. alone. The good news? Many of these collisions can be avoided with a little preparation, awareness, and smart driving habits. In this article, we’ll cover practical tips to help you spot wildlife before it’s too late, react safely if an animal crosses your path, and protect both human and animal life.
Here’s how to reduce your chances of an animal-vehicle collision and keep every journey safer:
Keep your eyes open
If you see one large animal, like a deer, on the side of the road, be sure to keep your eyes open and slow down. Wildlife often travels in groups so spotting one usually means there could be more nearby.
Don’t swerve
What is a good technique for avoiding animals on the road? Braking. Swerving away from a large animal might cause a worse accident. If you need to change lanes, always check your mirrors and blind spots first to avoid additional hazards.
Use your high beams
If there isn’t another vehicle in oncoming traffic, use your high beams from dusk until dawn to increase your chances of seeing an animal on the road. Deer especially tend to be more active during those times of the day, so slow down and be extra cautious.
Minimize injury
If a large animal jumps out in front of your vehicle, sometimes you can't avoid hitting it, despite your best efforts. If that’s the case, slow down as much as you can and brace yourself for impact. Lower yourself into your seat so that most of your body will be shielded by the dashboard. Large animals, like deer or elk, will often break through a vehicle’s windshield if you hit them with force.
If you hit a large animal
- Pull over and turn on your hazard lights.
- Don’t approach the animal.
- Contact emergency services immediately if you need medical assistance.
- If you're a fleet driver, contact your fleet manager or fleet accident management services company based on your fleet’s accident reporting policy.
- If it's your personal vehicle, remember to file your insurance claim within 24 hours.
It’s important for drivers to be alert for unexpected animals that enter the roadway. By following these tips we can help reduce the amount vehicle collisions caused by animals.
By following these tips you can reduce the risk of an animal encounter turning into an accident. Small actions can make a big difference. Every safe choice you make behind the wheel helps protect both humans and wildlife. For more driver safety tips, visit our blog.
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