Driving through scenic routes and exploring the backroads is undoubtedly one of the most exciting activities you can enjoy when exploring the North.
At the same time, you should never forget that such areas are home to wildlife, including wild deer, bears, and moose. While driving through these areas, you need to be mindful, especially during the fall or spring seasons. The good news, however, is there are several useful tricks that can help you avoid collisions with wild animals.
Consider these five tips to help you keep safe while driving through wildlife zones in the North.
1. Drive Slowly
One of the best tips to avoid problems with wildlife on the road is to drive slowly. Speed plays a crucial role here because driving too fast will give you little to no time to react when animals appear unexpectedly on the road.
There are several situations during which you should slow down on the road:
- When you travel through regions that are famous for wildlife activity
- During dawn and dusk, when animals are highly active
- On the rural highways with poor lighting and visibility
Driving slowly will allow you to be attentive and careful, making the driving experience safer for everyone.
2. Stay Alert
While traveling through wildlife zones, you should constantly look around and watch your surroundings. Even if you see that an animal is standing right next to the road, it can suddenly dart into the path of oncoming traffic.
So, you should be prepared for unexpected movements and situations that might occur while you’re on the road.
Specifically, be on the lookout for animal movements around the road shoulders, shadows or reflections in your headlights, and animal eyes that reflect light in the evening or at night.
It’s worth mentioning that deer and similar animals often travel in pairs. So, if you see one animal cross the road, don’t be surprised if more of them aren’t close behind.
3. Use High Beams Whenever Possible
Visibility plays a vital role when driving on rural roads at night. Using high beams will increase your visibility range and help you notice potential threats and obstacles faster.
You should use high beams whenever any of the following comes into play:
- You travel on a dark rural highway
- No traffic appears in front of you
Of course, you should turn off your high-beam lights once you start to encounter oncoming cars. Otherwise, you can temporarily blind other drivers, which may lead to consequences that require calling a tow truck, reporting an accident, and contacting a personal injury attorney.
4. Don’t Swerve
While swerving might be a natural reaction if you encounter an animal on the road, it can be deadly. Swerving could cause you to lose control of your car or enter the wrong lane. It’s better to brake, if you can’t safely perform evasive maneuvers, and brace for possible impact.
If you watch your speed and remain on the lookout, you can reduce the need to swerve.
5. Be Extra Careful Where You Know There’ll Be Wildlife
Some areas are extremely popular for animal crossings. There’ll often be road signs indicating sections with higher-than-normal wildlife activity.
To avoid problems while driving, you should watch out for areas like the following:
- Forests
- Water bodies
- Rural highways with low development rates
- Locations where signs about wildlife crossing appear
It’s worth studying your travel route to be informed about high-risk zones and prepare yourself appropriately.
Why Colliding With Wildlife Is Hazardous
Driving through areas with wildlife can be extremely challenging for drivers. Colliding with such animals can result in significant damage to your car — not to mention the loss of wildlife.
Moreover, some animals, like moose, are extremely large and tall, which means collisions can easily be fatal. You’ll want to be especially careful if driving in areas that have such animals.
Other Tips for Keeping Safe
Apart from following the tips listed above, it’s advisable to consider the following safety measures to minimize your risk:
- Washing the windshield thoroughly to ensure optimal visibility
- Avoiding any distractions while driving (including talking on the phone and listening to music)
- Focusing on the process of driving to stay attentive
- Using additional caution on bad weather days
Incorporating these other tips can help prevent unfortunate accidents with wildlife on the road.
Traveling on rural highways and experiencing adventures in unknown areas can be enjoyable until an accident occurs. You never know when wild animals might show up. Nevertheless, there are some effective ways to minimize your risk and remain safe.
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