Roadwise States Georgia Driving lessons Clearing the road and avoiding deer crashes Georgia driving lesson · Crashes and Traffic Stops
Clearing the road and avoiding deer crashes A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Crashes and Traffic Stops
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 51 On busy highways, a minor crash left in the lanes can cause another one, so Georgia requires drivers to move drivable vehicles out of the road. Deer also cause thousands of Georgia crashes each year; knowing their habits helps you avoid one.
Know the rule
On a multilane highway or expressway, if there's no apparent serious injury or death, drivers must move their vehicles to the shoulder, emergency lane, median or another safe place, if the vehicles can be driven normally and safely.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Know the rule
If you can't move your vehicle, you may ask another nearby driver with a valid license of the right class to move it, and that driver is authorized to do so.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Know the rule
Moving your vehicle doesn't make you at fault, doesn't affect your ability to file a written report, and doesn't count as failing to stop and give information.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Less than 6% Share of Georgia's reported crashes each year involving deer
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Avoiding deer: In deer areas, constantly scan the road and shoulders Slow down when a deer crosses; they travel in groups, so another may follow At night, slow down, blink your headlights and switch to low beams Short horn blasts may scare deer off the road If one runs out in front of you, slow down as much as possible Never swerve to avoid a deer Handbook p. 51 ↗ Know the rule
Swerving may make you hit another vehicle or leave the road, causing more damage or serious injury.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Know the rule
After a deer crash, alert police as soon as possible; most insurance companies require a police accident report before paying the claim.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Put it into practice
At dusk a deer darts across the road ahead. Brake firmly, stay in your lane rather than swerving, and watch for a second deer following the first.
A useful reminder Brake, don't swerve.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the recommended action if a deer runs out in front of your vehicle? Slow down as much as possible; don't swerve Flash your high beams and keep your speed Swerve immediately to avoid impact Come to a complete stop in your lane instantly Answer: Slow down as much as possible; don't swerve
The handbook advises slowing down as much as possible and never swerving, which can cause you to hit another vehicle or leave the road.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ According to Georgia Department of Transportation crash data, deer-automobile crashes account for about what share of all reported crashes each year? About 25 percent Less than one percent About 15 percent Less than six percent Answer: Less than six percent
Deer-automobile crashes, though rising, still account for less than six percent of automobile crashes reported each year.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ During which months are deer-car crashes most critical due to peak breeding season? June, July, and August October, November, and December May and June March and April only Answer: October, November, and December
Deer are most active during the fall breeding season of October, November, and December.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ On a multilane highway, if a minor crash occurs with no apparent serious injury, what should drivers do with their vehicles? Leave them in place until police arrive Move them off the road to a safe spot Move them only after taking photos Turn on hazards and stay in the lane Answer: Move them off the road to a safe spot
Drivers should move driveable, undamaged-enough vehicles off the roadway to a safe location after a minor crash.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ If a driver involved in a crash cannot move their own vehicle, what may they legally do? Ask another licensed driver to move it Leave it in place until a tow truck arrives Push it off the road with another car Nothing; it must stay until police arrive Answer: Ask another licensed driver to move it
If drivers can't move their vehicles, they may ask any nearby driver with a valid license of the appropriate class to move them.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Moving your vehicle after a minor crash on a multilane highway prevents you from filing a written report later. True False Answer: False
Moving vehicles does not affect the ability to file a written crash report.
Handbook p. 51 ↗ Previous lesson At the scene of a crash Next lesson When you're pulled over More in Crashes and Traffic Stops About the source Roadwise’s Georgia course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 51. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Georgia’s DDS. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.