Your doing 40mph in your car, on a town road, and a dog runs out infront of you?

Question

There's traffic behind you, sporadic vehicles coming the other way in the other lane, and you've noticed pedestians here and there on the footpath.

What would be your reaction and what is actually the best course of action in those circumstances?

Town/country road then if your being pedantic.... 40mph was to just give a speed where options are more limited than 30mph.

Answer 1

You should only be doing 30mph in town. So you should slow down to the legal limit.

Answer 2

well the cars behind you should be able to avoid you because they should not be right behind you, also if you can then brake swiftly and try to move round the dog without hitting any pedestrians or other traffic if at all possible, but if you have no choice then hit the brakes hard and hope that either the dog runs out of the way in time or your car comes to a stop before coming into contact with the dog

also you should be going 30MPH in these areas so you should be able to stop quicker

-jake

Answer 3

If possible, steer around the dog, without hitting the other traffic or the pedestrians.

If that is not possible, stop, wait for the dog to get out of the way, and hope that the cars behind you see your brake lights in time for them to also stop.

Answer 4

Stop, what else? You make it sound like some sort of major drama.

And you can ignore the wallies who say you shouldn't be doing 40 - there are plenty of 40mph urban roads. There's one just 200 yds from where I'm sitting.

Answer 5

, Most Mandatory, is using your own intelligence, speed signs are there for a good reason,whatever the sign limit is, you must not exceed that limit, but it does not mean, you have to drive at that indicated speed,it is essential when driving in a built up area to always be aware of the unexpected,if what you say, would happen, who knows, no two drivers react the same way,

Answer 6

I would break hard. The cars behind should be far enough behind to prevent an accident in case of you needing to brake hard.
Its their responsability to avoid you in all circumstances.
If you hit the dog it will do a suprising amount of damage but there is no insurance. Get hit by another car and its all paid for.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with my friend above.
Stop.
As others have said, following traffic should not hit you.
I live on a 40 mph road. (They go faster)
There are dogs in my neighborhood.
4 of them are mine (not in the road, though)
Hitting a dog must be reported. Not reporting is a crime. (We have a law)

Answer 8

hit the brakes and pray you miss the dog and the person behind you has insurance. They shouldn't hit you if they leave enough room between you and themselves if they are a good driver. remember 3 car lengths at least when you follow traffic. If they hit you it's their fault.

Answer 9

dog will be sent to the happy hunting ground. no way will i risk a rear ender for a mutt. cars weigh about 1500 pounds. at 40, u wont get it stopped in time, risk gettin slammed in the back, and the dog gets smacked anyway. never ever go left of center. u will be liable for the head on collision.

Answer 10

Brake in a straight line.
If you hit it, then it's sad, but best course of action.

Also, I am fairly sure that you DON'T need to report it to the police anymore - this was scrapped when the UK abolished the dog licence.

Answer 11

Slow down - that's what brakes are for. Blow your horn, that's what that is for. Finally, do not swerve to avoid the dog. Let the dog take evading action, it has every chance of getting out of the way, and will not kill anyone if it collides with them.