The Buck Stops Here What to do if a deer jumps in front of your motorcycle. Deer strikes on the road are unpredictable, and even the most experienced riders can fall victim to them. If a deer suddenly jumps in the path of your motorcycle, here are some steps you can take. ● Brake slowly if there's time; aggressively if there isn't. Use both front and rear brakes. ● Swerve to avoid if you can do so safely. But inadvertently swerving into the path of an 18-wheeler, or even a small car for that matter, to avoid hitting a deer is not the best trade off. ● Most importantly, do your best to avoid the mishap in the first place. Deer love to feed on the grass at the side of the road at dusk and dawn. They frequent country roads and can appear from the woods in a split second. Reduce your speed when you see "deer crossing" warning signs or spot deer grazing near the road. And, remember, they are herd animals; so they rarely are alone. -- Motorcycle Safety Foundation and AETC Ground Safety Division