Brake Repair: A Crucial Step in Preventing Unnecessary Road Kill

The Importance of Brake Maintenance for Wildlife Safety

For animal lovers, maintaining your vehicle's brakes is one of the most impactful actions you can take to protect local wildlife. Urban and rural drivers alike face the challenge of animals darting across roads. It's not just large animals like deer and moose that pose a threat; even smaller creatures such as squirrels, birds, and reptiles can find themselves in dangerous situations.

Why Brake Repair is Essential

In most scenarios, attempting to swerve to avoid an animal is more hazardous than slowing down. Swerving can lead to collisions with other vehicles, falling into ditches, or causing multi-car pile-ups. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), evasive maneuvers are responsible for a significant number of traffic accidents each year.

When Swerving is Necessary

The only time swerving might be advisable is when encountering a large animal that could cause severe injury, and there is ample space to maneuver safely. In such cases, having well-maintained brakes can still help you slow down enough to make a controlled swerve.

Best Practices for Avoiding Animal Collisions

1. Slow Down and Stop: If you see an animal crossing, slow down and come to a complete stop if possible.
2. Maintain Speed for Small Animals: For smaller animals like squirrels, maintaining your speed might encourage them to move faster.
3. Avoid Hard Stops: Hard stops increase the risk of being rear-ended.
4. Use Emergency Lights and Horn: Alert other drivers by turning on your emergency lights and honking your horn.

What to Do If You Hit an Animal

If you do hit an animal, it can be emotionally distressing. Here are steps to take:

1. Pull Over Safely: If you're in a low-traffic area, pull over to assess the situation.
2. Call Animal Control: For wild or severely injured animals, it's best to call animal control.
3. Move the Animal: If safe, move the animal to the side of the road.
4. Take Domesticated Animals to a Vet: If the animal appears to be a pet, take it to an emergency vet.

The Impact of Brake Maintenance on Road Safety

Regular brake maintenance not only protects animals but also enhances overall road safety. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles with well-maintained brakes are 30% less likely to be involved in rear-end collisions.

Interesting Stats

• Animal-Vehicle Collisions: Each year, approximately 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions occur in the U.S., resulting in over $1 billion in vehicle damage (Insurance Information Institute).
• Brake Failure: Brake-related issues account for 22% of all vehicle crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Conclusion

The next time you notice any issues with your brakes, don't delay in getting them repaired. Not only will you be ensuring your own safety, but you'll also be protecting the countless animals that share the roads with us. Regular brake maintenance is a small investment that yields significant benefits for both human and animal lives.

By keeping your brakes in optimal condition, you contribute to a safer driving environment for everyone. So, make it a priority to check and maintain your brakes regularly. Your safety and the well-being of local wildlife depend on it.