Deer Season Driving Tips

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Fall is a fun time to drive around and see the changing colors, but it can be a dangerous time for driving, especially in the country, due to deer. During this time of year we see an increase in deer related crashes as hunting season gets underway and deer breading season peaks in November. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, rural areas and roads with a speed limit of 55 MPH or higher are most likely to be the scene for deadly deer crashes. It's important to stay aware no matter what road you are on, and with a few simple deer season driving tips you can avoid becoming a deer-crash statistic.

1. Deer are generally most active during dusk and dawn hours, so it is important to be particularly alert during your morning and evening commutes to and from work and home.

2. Where there is one, there will likely be more. Deer usually travel in groups, so if you see a deer make sure to slow down and keep an eye out for more since they will most likely be nearby.

3. Staying alert, constantly scanning the road, and utilizing your high beams when there is no opposing traffic, can help you spot a deer that may be lurking near the side of the road. If you see any illuminated eyes or dark shadows, slow down and be prepared to stop.

4. One of the worst, and most dangerous, things you can do to avoid hitting a deer is swerve. Chances are, you will end up hitting another vehicle, tree, or other object, which can be a more serious collision than hitting the deer. The best thing you can do is to brake firmly, stay in your lane, and hold the steering wheel steady until you come to a controlled stop.

5. If you do get into an accident with a deer, make sure to turn on your emergency flashers and pull over to the side of the road so that other vehicles can see you. Stay in your vehicle, and never approach the deer.

6. Last but not least, remember that in your Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, or GMC vehicle, you can press the OnStar button for assistance in any type of situation.

We want all of our friends and neighbors to stay safe this season as deer activity nears its peak with our deer season driving tips. If you want the peace of mind knowing your vehicle will protect you through any season, come see us to learn more about all of the extensive safety systems that General Motors has to offer. If you have unfortunately hit a deer, and need collision service, we can help fix the damage and get you back on the road in no time. You can ensure your car runs safe by taking care of routine maintenance. We would be happy to take care of all your auto service.

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube

The Best Thanksgiving Travel Times According to Google

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Have you started considering a plan for your Thanksgiving travels next week? By now it is well known that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year with major back ups and headaches, but that's no way to start a holiday! Of course the roads are going to be more congested than normal with millions of people heading to and from their turkey day gatherings, but you can make things a little easier on yourself by considering the Best Thanksgiving Travel Times according to Google Data!

The gurus at Google have just examined traffic conditions from the past two Thanksgivings to help us decipher a method to the madness that is turkey day travel. And, there are a few ways you can avoid some of the congestion!

The Best Thanksgiving Travel Times According to Google

• If possible, avoid making your travel plans for Wednesday! It's the worst day of the week to travel before Thanksgiving and according to Google's data, the worst of it is between 3-5pm on that day! If that's your only day to get to your destination, try to leave earlier or later!
• If you can, schedule your travels for Thursday since the holiDAY is usually the day with the least amount of traffic all week! And if you hit the road between 12-2pm, you likely won't hit any traffic since that's when most people are indulging.
• When the feasting ends, don't get the wrong idea that you'll beat traffic by heading home on Saturday, because everyone else has the same idea. In fact, traffic can be up to 40% worse on Saturday, so relax a little longer and head home on Sunday.

In addition to the road, congestion at the grocery store and any other errands you need to run can be a big contributor to holiday stress. Stay relaxed this Thanksgiving by staying organized and getting your errands done this weekend rather than next week when most people will be rushing around at the last minute!

Most importantly, make sure you stay safe this Thanksgiving in a vehicle that is equipped to protect you, which can be a simple as staying on top of your vehicle's routine maintenance. If it's time to upgrade, come into our Buick, GMC, Cadillac, or Chevy dealer serving Isabella County! At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com
Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube