What should you do if an animal runs into the road?

When an animal runs into the road, the appropriate action is to slow down and avoid it if possible. This is considered the safest response as it reduces the likelihood of a collision, which can cause harm to both the animal and the vehicle's occupants. In many cases, animals can be unpredictable, and slowing down gives drivers more time to react and make a decision.

Avoiding swerving is particularly important because making sudden lateral movements can lead to loss of vehicle control, potentially causing an accident with other vehicles or objects on the roadside. Honking the horn might startle the animal but does not guarantee that it will move out of the way quickly. Speeding up to avoid it presents an even greater risk of collision, as it could lead to hitting the animal at a higher speed, increasing the severity of any potential impact. Therefore, the best and safest action is to slow down and steer safely around the animal if it is safe to do so.