What should you do if you encounter an animal on the road?

When you encounter an animal on the road, slowing down and preparing to stop is essential for several reasons. Firstly, animals can behave unpredictably, and their movements are often difficult to anticipate. By reducing your speed, you increase your reaction time and give yourself a better chance to respond to the animal's actions, whether that means stopping completely or making adjustments to your route.

Additionally, slowing down allows you to assess the situation more calmly. If the animal is on the roadway or attempting to cross, you'll have the time to evaluate if it is safe to proceed or if stopping is necessary. This approach helps to minimize the risk of a collision, protecting both the rider and the animal.

Swerving suddenly, while it might seem like a quick solution, can lead to loss of control of the motorcycle and potentially cause a more severe accident. Similarly, honking the horn may startle the animal, but it doesn’t ensure it will move out of the way. Speeding up, on the other hand, increases the likelihood of a collision, which can result in significant harm to both the rider and the animal. Therefore, slowing down and preparing to stop is the safest and most responsible action to take when you encounter an animal on the road.