Winter is finally ending, taking the road hazards of ice and snow with it. But spring brings driving threats of its own, particularly deer venturing out to look for food and mates. Striking one of these large animals can destroy your vehicle and result in serious injuries. Even if you have comprehensive auto insurance, take steps to prevent encountering a deer on the road. The tips below will help to minimize your chances of hitting a deer this spring.

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

Use Caution During High-Traffic Hours

Deer are most likely to be out and about between sunset and midnight and just before sunrise. If you’re driving, be especially careful on rural roads, particularly if you see deer crossing signs. Keep your high beams on unless there’s oncoming traffic, and be ready to slow down if you spot a deer on the side of the road.

Try to Scare Deer Away

If you have time, hit the brakes and blow your horn if you see a deer. In many cases, this will scare the animal away, but you shouldn’t relax just yet. Deer typically travel in groups, so if one is present, expect others to be close by.

Don’t Swerve

Swerving to avoid a deer can be more dangerous than hitting it, causing you to slide off the road or into oncoming traffic. If the accident was unavoidable, stay buckled in your car and call emergency services. Once police are on their way, call your auto insurance provider and notify them of the accident.

As one of the nation’s leading auto insurance providers, Farmers Insurance Group offers reliable coverage, affordable rates, and excellent customer service when you need it most. From our offices in Mountain Grove, MO, we’re proud to help drivers throughout the area protect themselves from the unexpected. Follow us on Twitter for more tips, and visit us online or call (417) 926-7900 to request a free, no-obligation auto insurance quote today.