Brake Replacement or Repair Can Help Prevent Unnecessary Road Kill

Posted: Nov 07, 2012
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

If you’re an animal lover, one way to avoid accidentally killing animals while you’re driving is to make sure your brakes are in perfect working order. If they are not, your auto shop will surely recommend brake replacement or repair.

When driving on the open road, it’s best to slow to a stop rather than swerving to avoid an animal. Today, drivers even have to contend with animals darting across roads in urban areas. And, it’s not only large animals like moose and deer that pose problems. In cities, dogs and cats are also in danger, as are birds and reptiles.

Why is brake replacement or repair so important in preventing road kill? The answer is: because in most situations, evasion is dangerous.

If you swerve quickly, or brake while swerving, you put yourself, other drivers and passengers in a hazardous situation. You could strike an oncoming vehicle, or cause a major collision chain, or run off the road. And to top it all, there’s every chance that you’ll still hit the poor animal.

The only time swerving is advantageous is when the animal is big enough to cause human injury on impact, and it is clear that the vehicle cannot stop in time.

If your brakes are in good condition, you are more likely to miss the animal. But, what if you do strike it? Running over an animal can be emotionally upsetting, especially if it is someone’s pet. So, if you’re having difficulty slowing down or stopping quickly, it’s time to have your car assessed by a brake replacement professional. You’ll be safer, and so will those cute furry interlopers.