For serious and fun minded motorcycle riders in the Greater Texoma area and beyond.

Deer Alert

Deer -Motorcycle Fatality Accident

We have had numerous reports of deer sightings close to and on area roads for the past several years. With an apparent increase in local deer population it is even more critical that the motorcycle rider keep alert for this danger.

Within the past few years we have had two reports of local deer-motorcycle collisions that have resulted in deaths and one report of a collision that the rider was fortunately able to walk away from relatively unscathed.

What You Can Do

Be very careful – especially this time of year and especially riding during hours of darkness and in areas where deer are known to be crossing or feeding. In the fall, during rut, deer are particularly careless and unpredictable and may run out in front of traffic in an almost frenzy. See:
http://www.pressrepublican.com/outdoors/lib/10272002out1.htm

Also be aware that deer like to cross roads and highways in areas where there is tree and vegetation cover close to the road - especially on both sides. This condition is frequently found near creek beds in areas where the road crosses a bridge or culvert. Although a deer can suddenly appear from almost anywhere, these areas are especially prone to deer crossings. And do not make the mistake by thinking a fence along the side of the road will prevent deer from crossing there; a deer can jump a typical barbed wire fence flat-footed.

Do deer whistles work? No, according to an article by Washington State University. See:
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1677/eb1677.html

This is also supported by the Internet BMW riders:
http://www.ibmwr.org/prodreview/deerwsle.html

Of course, deer whistle manufacturers do not necessarily agree with such studies. Most devices I have seen are powered by the wind – which is addressed in the referenced links above. One interesting device is powered by 12 V. See:
http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/deer-whistles/motorcycles.htm

This does not mean one should or should not put deer whistle devices on their bike – it is possible that in some situations they could possibly be of some help. But one should not rely on such devices.

The best course of action is to drive defensively. ESPECIALLY in areas of known or suspected deer populations. Heed deer crossing road signs. In general, SLOW DOWN, STAY ALERT; keep your foot over the break pedal and your fingers lightly curled around the brake lever. Most accidents between deer and vehicles occur after sunset and before dawn. In darkness, deer are generally not visible to a driver until they enter the area illuminated by the vehicle’s headlights. By then it can be too late to react – and as we all know, increased speed results in decreased time to react.

Even though deer generally become more active between dusk and dawn, some deer can be active almost any time of day, depending upon many factors. Again, stay alert at all times.

For motorcycle riders, keep fingers loosely curled over the front brake lever AND the toe of the foot over the top of the rear brake pedal. Remember – according the Hurt report – it is best to stay on the brakes all the way up to collision, as this generally results in the maximum decrease in speed, which in turn results in lower impact thereby reducing injury potential and increasing the possibility of survival. Remember that most the braking on a motorcycle is done by the FRONT brakes. Laying the bike down to avoid disaster is not recommended by most motorcycle safety guidelines. STAY ALERT, if confronted with a collision situation that can not be avoided, STAY ON THE BRAKES.

Anecdotal Stories

Motorcycle encounter.

We were returning from a week’s visit to Big Bend National Park. We were three guys on three bikes. It was in the early spring of 1983. It was a chilly, dark night. We had already stopped several times for coffee or hot chocolate to warm up. I was sure glad I have a full face helmet that night! We were just this side of Decatur, coming around a curve in Highway 51 heading northeast. CB Lee was leading on his Moto Guzzi 500 – I was ‘raking the leaves’ in third place on my 1982 GL1100 Gold Wing. I heard the previously quiet CB radio come alive – it was CB saying he hit a deer. In less than a minute we were on the scene. There was CB, visibly shaken – well, as shaken as CB gets, anyway – and there was a deer lying in the road. CB had managed to brake to impact. He had also managed to keep the bike up. He was ok. ‘The Goose’, as he called it, was bent with some broken parts, but rideable. While we were contemplating the situation a guy pulled up in a pickup truck. After a quick assessment of the situation, he asked if we wanted the deer. Being on motorcycles we said, “No thank you”. The deer was loaded into the bed of the truck and the guy sped off into the night. We continued on – the ‘Goose’ limping back to Sherman.

CB’s insurance totaled ‘The Goose’. CB later said he regretted selling it to the insurance company like that. It was fixable. It was indeed a rare motorcycle in these parts. And we were all indeed lucky that night.

Automobile encounter.

Deer seem to appear ‘out of nowhere’ right in front, or nearly in front, of the vehicle. It can happen very rapidly. I hit a deer near Austin many years ago. I was driving 1963 Chevrolet Super Sport (2 door, red/red, 327, auto) down an unlit highway from Marble Falls to Austin when suddenly the deer was right in front of me – about 20 feet directly in front of my vehicle, which was going 70 MPH or so. There was virtually no time to react. One second you see darkness and empty highway - the next, a ‘deer in the headlights’ – literally. The ’63 Chevy and sustained little damage. They were built differently in those days! The deer died. But even people in automobiles can be seriously injured or killed by such an encounter. And as motorcycle riders, we of course have less protection than automobile drivers.

Summary

BE CAREFUL. People have been seriously injured and even died in cars because of an encounter with a deer. We are a lot less protected on a motorcycle. You may get lucky – but the best ‘luck’ is the ‘luck’ you make for yourself by being attentive and ready for the unexpected. Keep you fingers curled lightly over the front brake lever and your toe over the brake pedal. Expect the unexpected.

Comments or other input to this article? - email Ride Texoma Editor.