Driver Guide

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TIPS FOR AVOIDING A DEER-VEHICLE CRASH
You can reduce your odds of being involved in a deer-vehicle crash by 
applying these precautionary measures:
•  Be especially alert and use caution when traveling through areas marked  
  with deer crossing signs.
•  Deer seldom travel alone.  Chances are if you see one deer crossing a  
  road or notice a struck deer on the side of the road, there are others   
 nearby.
•  Be especially cautious in areas around fields, streams, and gardens    
  where deer tend to congregate.
•  Most deer-related crashes occur in January, May, and October through  
  December.  
•  Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight and the hours shortly  
  before and after sunrise.
•  After dark, use high beams when there is no opposing traffic.  High    
  beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and provide  
  greater motorist reaction time.  
•  To reduce the likelihood of serious injury in a crash, be sure all vehicle  
  occupants wear seat belts and children are properly restrained in child  
  safety seats.
•  If you see that a crash is unavoidable, do not swerve.  Swerving off the  
  road or into the path of an oncoming car can increase the risk of injury. 
  Make sure there is no traffic behind you before slowing suddenly.  Too  
  much brake pressure can cause the front end of the vehicle to drop    
  down, striking the deer in the legs and allowing the body to come into 
  the passenger compartment of the vehicle.  
•  If you are involved in a crash:
  1.   Report the crash to a local law enforcement agency;
  2.   Obtain a police report (if required) to file a claim for coverage with  
        your insurance company; and
   3.   Contact a local Missouri Department of Conservation agent to report  
 
where the crash occurred.  This can help to identify frequent deer  
 
crossing areas.

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WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?
Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely operate your 
vehicle and respond to events happening around you.  Driving involves 
constant and complex coordination between your mind and body.  Events or 
things that prevent you from operating your car safely are distractions.  All 
distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types 
of distractions include, but are not limited to:
•  Texting;
•  Using a cell phone or smartphone;
•  Eating and drinking;
•  Talking to passengers;
•  Grooming;
•  Reading, including maps;
•  Using a navigation system;
•  Watching a video;
•  Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player; and
•  Surfing the Internet.
Because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention 
from the driver, it is by far the most  high risk distraction.  It is against the 
law for any person 21 years of age or younger to read, write, or send a text 
message or electronic message while operating a vehicle.
Are You Being Driven to Distraction?
•  What do children, friends, and pets all have in common? All can be a  
  dangerous distraction to you while you are driving.
•  Teach your young children that driving is an important job and that you  
  must concentrate when you are behind the wheel. If you need to attend to  
  your children, pull over to a safe place. Don’t try to handle children while  
  you are driving.
•  A carload of friends can be very distracting with loud talking, arguing over music 
  selections, or horseplay. Arguments and other disturbing conversations  
  should be held in a safe, appropriate place, not while you are driving in 
  your vehicle.
•  A loose pet in a moving vehicle can be very dangerous. Properly secure  
  your pet in a pet carrier, portable kennel, or specially designed pet har  
  ness when you are driving.  Never allow your pet to sit on your lap while  
  you are driving your vehicle.
Turning Dials Can Turn Your Head
•  Making destination entries on an in-vehicle navigation system, radio    
  surfing for a good song, or adjusting your vehicle’s climate controls are
 
  distracting activities that can put you in danger of a vehicle crash or    
  near-crash. The availability of in-vehicle Internet and e-mail access from  
  cell/smartphones, and other portable devices are added distractions that  
  increase your risk of a crash if you engage in these activities while driving.
•  Adjust vehicle’s controls (climate controls, mirrors, radio, seat, etc.) before  
  you begin to drive.
•  Check your e-mail, voicemail, and any other portable devices you have  
  before you begin driving.
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•  Place a message on your cell phone stating you are driving and will call  
  them back later.
•  Take advantage of normal stops to adjust controls.
•  Ask your passengers to adjust the radio, climate control, navigation system, 
  etc., for you.
Looks Can Kill ...
Looking out your window at what you are passing while you are driving can 
be a distraction if you are concentrating on getting a good look at:
•  A crash scene;
•  A vehicle pulled over by law enforcement;
•  Construction work;
•  A billboard advertisement;
•  A scenic view; or
•  Street names and addresses.
Always focus on your driving. It’s crucial that you remain alert while on the 
road to arrive at your destination safely.
Tire Pressure 
Prior to entering the vehicle, check the tire pressure using the recommended 
psi (pounds per square inch) located in the vehicle owner’s manual or the 
driver’s side door jam of the vehicle. Use a tire pressure gauge to check 
your psi. If your psi is above the number listed in the owner’s manual or on 
your door jam, let air out until it matches. If below, add air (or have a tire 
professional help you) until it reaches the proper number.
You may also measure tread depth using the penny test. Once every month, 
or before you embark upon a long road trip, check your tires for wear and 
damage problems. One easy way to check for wear is by using the penny 
test.
1. Take a penny and hold Abraham Lincoln’s body between your thumb and  
  forefinger.
2. Select a point on your tire where the tread appears to be lowest and place  
  Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves.
3. If any part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with  
  the safe amount of tread. If your tread gets below that, (approximately  
  2/32 of an inch) your car’s ability to grip the road in adverse conditions is  
  greatly reduced.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE STOPPED
To minimize conflicts between drivers and law enforcement, and to make 
traffic stops a much safer event for all involved, the Missouri State Highway 
Patrol offers a brochure titled What to Do If You Are Stopped and is located 
on their web site at http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publi-
cations/Brochures/documents/SHP-747.pdf

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