Last Saturday, the driver of a Renault Sandero reacted instinctively and violently to a hare that crossed the road. A wrong maneuver in the steering wheel led him to lose control of the vehicle, which ended up overturning.
The accident took place very early, at about 6:30 in the morning on a road near the city of Victoria.
Hare + swerve: accident
The hare surprised the driver by appearing suddenly on the road. The driver tried to dodge it by making a sudden turn of the steering wheel. This maneuver, added to the speed at which it circulated, led him to lose control of the vehicle. He could not prevent the car from capsizing and remaining as can be seen in the photograph.
In spite of the spectacular nature of the accident, Victoria Departmental Headquarters has informed that only the material damages suffered by the vehicle have to be regretted, since the driver was unharmed.
This happened in Argentina, but in Spain we also suffer a high loss due to the eruption of animals on the road. The DGT facilitated in its statistical yearbook of accidents that in 2016 there were 427 accidents with victims in which animals were involved.
How to act if an animal crosses you while driving?
As recommended by the DGT, if we are surprised by an animal that suddenly breaks into the road and we cannot stop in time, we must act as follows:
Before a small animal (dog, cat, hare, rabbit...)
Try to avoid hitting, without braking sharply or swerving. What you should do is try to dodge it by gently driving the steering wheel.
If it is impossible to avoid it safely (for example, if doing so involves a way out), hold the steering wheel firmly and continue in a straight line.
If the animal that occupies the road is large (a deer, a horse, a cow...)
Try to dodge at low speed by turning to the right or leaving the road (eye, only if the road conditions allow it).
Do not brake suddenly and if you have made an elusive maneuver, do not suddenly return to the road, you could overturn.
Release the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly to maintain control of the car.
As far as possible, try not to collide head-on with the animal as it could cross the windshield. Brakes firmly and continuously, but without abruptness. ABS will prevent the wheels from locking and you will be able to manage the steering.
If the collision with the animal is inevitable:
If you do not have time to react and the crash is inevitable, press the brake and clutch pedal all the way down and hold the steering wheel firmly. If the maneuver is not safe, do not try to avoid it.
Remember to activate the emergency PAS (Protect, Warn and Rescue) protocol if you are in a position to do so: do not leave the car without the reflective vest. The vest with two reflective tapes will help in signaling.
Take the car to the workshop although apparently there is no harm.
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