Avoiding deer-RV accidents

Fall is deer season--unfortunately it's not hunting we're talking about. In Indiana alone nearly half the deer clobbered in vehicle accidents take the hit in Autumn. Why the high numbers? With the rutting season coming on, deer are more active, and it's not, "Why did the chicken cross the road," but more, why the buck crossed the road.

Here are tips to help you prevent becoming an unintended Bambi killer. 

• Be especially on the lookout between sunset and sunrise.
• If you see one, there's probably another close by as deer travel in groups.
• Use your high beams when you can--it'll help to illuminate deer eyes.
• If you see a deer, even at a distance, slow down.
• If an accident is imminent, don't swerve. Your chances of greater damage come from hitting something else in an attempt to miss a deer.
• "Deer whistles" mounted on vehicles have not proven out to prevent accidents.
• If you do hit a deer, don't approach the animal unless you are sure it is dead.