Ask Joe Mechanic: Deer Crossing Ahead

We all know that there are lots of hazards that we encounter everyday during our travels, but at this time of year there is another one added to the mix that we must be prepared for. Most of us have encountered at one time or another a deer running across our path. At this time of year, that frequency and danger multiplies due to a number of reasons that people need to be aware of.

First of all, this is the time of year known as the “rut” or mating season for whitetail deer. At
this time of year, deer are not thinking as clearly as they have something else on their minds. They will run carelessly into your path, especially if they are being chased.

Added to that, there are a lot of people in the woods this time of year. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders can disturb a resting deer. But the biggest disturbance to their habitat is hunting. We are in the midst of archery and muzzleloader season and after Thanksgiving comes rifle season. Also, farmers are harvesting their crops so the cornfields where they feed are being disturbed.

Deer are most likely to move from shortly before dark to shortly after sunrise, but at this
time, with so many other factors, you can encounter one at almost any time. Also, daylight savings time ends this weekend so this means that many people will be commuting to and from work at the deer’s peak times for movement.

When a deer has crossed the road, do not just figure that you are safe, does often travel in
groups, many times in single file. Also, a pursuing buck could be following a short distance behind. So, if you see one, the odds are better than 50/50 that there will be another close by.

Damage from hitting a deer can often add up to thousands of dollars, especially depending on the type of vehicle that you drive. Another thing to consider is that with sporty cars with a
low, sloping front end, the deer can actually be thrown up over the front and into or through the windshield which can cause very serious injuries or even be fatal.

If you do hit a deer, you are not required to call the Game Commission. If the deer dies, only a PA resident is allowed to claim the carcass. To do so, you must call the Game Commission office in the county where the accident occurred and an agency dispatcher will record the required information to issue you a free permit number which you should write
down for proof of reporting. You must call within 24 hours of claiming the deer.

A passing PA motorist may claim the deer by following the same procedure if the person who hit the deer does not want it. Antlers from any buck that is hit must be turned over to the Game Commission.

Something very important to remember is that if the deer is injured but not dead, do not approach it, as an injured deer, especially a buck, can be very dangerous. However, if the deer does not move on and is creating a dangerous situation, report the incident to the
Game Commission office or other local law enforcement so that it can be dealt with. Always
remember that your and other driver’s safety is most important.

Recent recalls:

210,228 Suzuki Motorcycle Models. 20042013 GSX-R600 and GSX-R750, and model
year 2005-2013 GSX-R1000 motorcycles
With older brake fluid, corrosion of the brake piston
inside of the front brake master cylinder
generates gas that may result in a reduction of
fluid pressure transmission to the front brake.
As a result, front braking power may be
reduced increasing the risk of a crash.

23,000 Ford 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max
Vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start
System. There is no audible chime when the
vehicle is operational and the driver’s door is
opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(FMVSS) No. 114, “Theft Protection and
Rollaway Prevention.” Without an audible door
chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and
exit the vehicle without being reminded that the
vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle
susceptible to theft.

151,695 Nissan and Infiniti. 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder
Vehicles manufactured April
18, 2012, through September 20, 2013; model
year 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured
September 15, 2011, through January 16,
2013; and model year 2014 Infiniti QX60
vehicles manufactured January 17, 2013,
through September 20, 2013. In the affected
vehicles, during light braking on rough roads,
the antilock brake system (ABS) brake pressure
output software may lead to an increase in
stopping distance.

3,594 Audi 2013-2014. Audi S6 and S7
Vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines. Due to
manufacturing tolerance issues, a fuel line may
leak fuel. A fuel leak, in the presence of an
ignition source, may result in a fire.

1,120 Audi 2013-2014. Audi A8 and S8
Vehicles equipped with a standard sunroof,
manufactured March 12, 2013, through July 15,
2013. These vehicles are equipped with a
standard sunroof glass panel that may shatter.
Should the sunroof’s glass break while the
vehicle is in use, the falling glass could injure
the driver or passengers. It could also distract
the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

10,474 Mitsubishi 2008-2013. Lancer Evolution
Vehicles manufactured from
December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In
the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder
can fail. Failure of the clutch master cylinder
reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out
of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

If you think you are affected by any of these recalls, contact your dealer or the manufacturer for further instructions.