Scary dash cam footage shows deer crash season in full swing

Saturday, October 1, 2016, 5:12 PM - It was around 2:30 a.m. Friday morning when out of nowhere, a deer jumped in front of Mohamed Yusuf's vehicle while he was driving to work in Ottawa, Ontario.

While Yusuf's blue Hyundai was totalled, he was glad to emerge from the crash unscathed. The collision was captured via Yusuf's dashboard camera. The horrifying video (above) serves as a reminder to be aware of your surroundings while on the road.

"It was so unexpected. It was very scary," Yusuf told CBC. "Honestly, I'm very blessed I'm not hurt."

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Yusuf was changing lanes to get off Highway 417 while heading to his IT job in Kanata when the deer darted across several lanes and smashed into his vehicle.

Experts say the fall is the worst season for collisions involving deer, moose and elk.

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, mating season begins, which means wildlife are likely to venture out onto busy roadways. The animals often travel in groups.

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"You need to be very careful," OPP Const. Janice Sawbridge told CBC. "A deer is quite a large animal, and it can come through a windshield. So that can be a life-threatening injury -- or even a fatal collision."

If driving through a rural area at night, police advise drivers to scan ditches and the shoulder of the road. Watch for glowing eyes and if you see an animal, slow down and honk your horn in a series of short bursts.

SOURCE: CBC