A deer in the median on I-90 taught me a new driving trick

I was heading east near Spokane last Tuesday when a big buck just stood there, frozen in the center grass. Instead of swerving, I tapped my brakes twice to flash the lights for the truck behind me, then held steady and passed it. Has anyone else had a close call with wildlife that changed how you handle the road?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_ellis11d ago

Good move with the brake lights. Swerving is usually what causes the crash.

olivia39811d ago

Slamming the brakes saved me once too.

markt2311d agoMost Upvoted

Brake lights give the person behind you a fighting chance to react. Uma_ellis is right about swerving, it often puts you into another lane or off the road entirely. Your best bet is to brake hard and stay in your lane, even if a hit seems likely. A straight on rear end crash is usually way less bad than spinning out into traffic. It keeps you in control of where your car ends up. That split second decision really does make all the difference.