How should you react when you see a deer crossing the road?

When you see a deer crossing the road, the best course of action is to slow down and watch for sudden movements. Deer can be unpredictable and may dart across the road without warning. Slowing down gives you more time to react if the deer moves suddenly or if additional deer are following. It also reduces the likelihood of a collision, which can cause serious damage to both the vehicle and injury to the occupants.

While accelerating to pass quickly may seem like a way to avoid the deer, it actually increases the risk of a crash as you may not have enough time to react if the deer suddenly changes direction or additional deer appear. Honking your horn could startle the deer, but there’s no guarantee it will move away from the road. Changing lanes might not be a safe option either, as it could lead to losing control of the vehicle or colliding with another vehicle. Thus, slowing down and maintaining awareness is the most effective way to handle this situation safely.