Attention, deer crossing!
In the autumn season, wild animals on the roads again become a source of danger - especially at dawn and dusk.
The music is turned up and you're already thinking about closing time - but then a deer crosses the road. In autumn, when it gets dark earlier, it is easy to overlook animals at the roadside. Yet deer, wild boars and the like are a major risk factor. A collision can have devastating consequences for motorists. The insurer CosmosDirekt explains the correct behavior when animals run onto the road.
Dark season brings more risks
Deer accidents are a potential source of danger year-round, but the risk increases during the fall months. Game expands its territory at this time of year, as the animals find less food and cover. In doing so, they do not even stop at intersecting country roads. In addition, rush hour traffic increasingly coincides with twilight, when wild animals are particularly active. Frank Bärnhof, motor insurance expert at CosmosDirekt, explains how motorists can avoid collisions: "The best prevention against wildlife accidents is anticipatory driving. Motorists should - especially on country and forest roads - adjust their speed." This is because braking distances can increase significantly, especially in the fall on roads that are covered in leaves, damp or even frozen over. Added to this is poorer visibility in fog and darkness.
When the collision is unavoidable
Despite a clear roadway, it can quickly become dangerous when a deer crosses. Says Bärnhof: "If an animal appears on the roadway, three immediate rules apply: Dim your lights, honk your horn and initiate a controlled braking maneuver." If a collision can no longer be avoided, hold on to the steering wheel tightly and continue driving straight ahead if possible. "You should not swerve. You might save the animal, but you risk an even more dangerous collision, for example with oncoming traffic or a tree," says Bärnhof.
Correct action after a wildlife accident:
- Secure the accident site: Switch on hazard warning lights, put on high-visibility vest and set up warning triangle.
- Notify police
- Do not touch injured or killed animal
- Have game accident certificate for insurance issued by the responsible forester or hunting leaseholder
- Inform insurance company: Photos of the accident site, animal and vehicle support rapid claims settlement
Source: www.cosmosdirekt.de/versicherungstipp-wildunfall
