Business & Tech

Oh Deer! Watch for Wildlife on the Roads, or Even Inside a Yogurt Shop

Spoiler Alert: The deer escapes, appearing to be unharmed.

Our Holmdel-Hazlet Patch has this video of a deer breaking into a yogurt shop, frantically running through the store's back and front dining area, slipping around on some pretty slick floors.

As Al Prachar of Aberdeen, NJ, and his daughter Jennifer watched in astonishment, the deer finally found his escape route — with a little help. 

Their son also had some fun setting the surveillance footage to some music.

All of which provides an amusing way to provide some serious tips as you travel within or beyond Maryland this holiday weekend. What to do if a deer or other animal runs in front of your vehicle?

Here are tips from the American Automobile Association:

  • Scan the road ahead: Looking ahead helps provide enough reaction time if an animal is spotted. Also, remember some animals, like deer, move in groups, so when there is one, there are usually more in the area.
  • Use high beam headlights if there’s no oncoming traffic: This can help you spot deer or other wildlife sooner and give you time to slow down, move over or honk the horn to scare the animal away. High beams also help in spotting animals’ reflective eyes.
  • If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane: Swerving to avoid an animal can often cause a more serious crash or cause you to lose control of your vehicle. What’s more, drivers who swerve to miss a deer and hit something else may be charged for an at-fault accident.
  • Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk: Deer tend to be more active in the early morning and at dusk.
  • Slow down and use extra caution when traveling through areas with a high and active wildlife population: Be aware of increased deer movement in rural areas during the fall and early winter, as this is both hunting and mating season.
  • Always wear a seat belt and remain awake, alert and sober.


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