Nearly Hit a Deer
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 583
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Nearly Hit a Deer
Listen to this crazy one. I was driving down a four lane divided highway with a cement barrier as the median around 7:30 last night. Traffic was pretty light, it was dark and my speed was around 75 mph. Fortunately I was paying attention because all of a sudden I saw a deer standing in my lane!
I hit the brakes hard but I was way too close so I had to make a route decision. There was a car to my right a little behind me (I didn't know exactly where since I didn't have time to look) so the only thing I could do was try to squeeze by the deer and hopefully avoid the cement median. As I did I saw the deer starting to move to the right. As I passed him I heard and felt some very light impact like I just clipped him. Shortly after I got out and checked for damage and amazingly there wasn't any! I think my right mirror just nipped the deer and at the same time retracted back into place (I might have even spanked the deer with my mirror
). Amazing!
This is the first time that I had the benz in an emergency situation and I have to say that it was amazing. The had great control with very heavy braking force and it had the agility to manuever through such a tight space while total braking force was applied. Of course having the xenon headlights probably gave me a slightly longer reaction time also. I really fall in love with my cars when they are there for me in these types of situations. Love the benz!
I hit the brakes hard but I was way too close so I had to make a route decision. There was a car to my right a little behind me (I didn't know exactly where since I didn't have time to look) so the only thing I could do was try to squeeze by the deer and hopefully avoid the cement median. As I did I saw the deer starting to move to the right. As I passed him I heard and felt some very light impact like I just clipped him. Shortly after I got out and checked for damage and amazingly there wasn't any! I think my right mirror just nipped the deer and at the same time retracted back into place (I might have even spanked the deer with my mirror
). Amazing!This is the first time that I had the benz in an emergency situation and I have to say that it was amazing. The had great control with very heavy braking force and it had the agility to manuever through such a tight space while total braking force was applied. Of course having the xenon headlights probably gave me a slightly longer reaction time also. I really fall in love with my cars when they are there for me in these types of situations. Love the benz!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 583
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks! I think the deer did make it because the impact was relatively minor and he did move off. I can't say for sure though since they often run/limp off after they have been hit and eventually die (don't think that this is the case though) 
This is actually a dangerous situation because these couple of hundred pound deer can come over the hood and through the windshield and at 75 mph that is pretty scary. Believe or not people are actually killed like this every so often.
This is actually a dangerous situation because these couple of hundred pound deer can come over the hood and through the windshield and at 75 mph that is pretty scary. Believe or not people are actually killed like this every so often.
Last edited by luxury1; Mar 22, 2005 at 11:14 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
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From: Columbia, SC
E300
I had a similar situation in the '82 300D we had. Was traveling down some back roads leaving a friends house, traveling at 35mph down a hill when a deer with no antlers ran out and into my drivers door. The deer kept running by was wobbling like crazy.
The 300D won! I bet the deer was fine since it was still running. I only had a small dent in my door and the impact was loud...
The 300D won! I bet the deer was fine since it was still running. I only had a small dent in my door and the impact was loud...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
You're sure lucky luxury1. The last time I hit a deer (with a much less capable 1984 Accord), I brilliantly swerved into the left lane and skillfully avoided a deer, only to smack his buddy straight on. It was a draw. Both the Honda and the deer died.
Always watch out for the second one! They like to travel in pairs.
Always watch out for the second one! They like to travel in pairs.
