What should you do if you cannot avoid hitting a large animal while driving?

When faced with a situation where avoiding a collision with a large animal is impossible, braking firmly and steering to hit at an angle is generally the best course of action. This method can help minimize the potential impact damage to your vehicle and reduce the risk of severe injury to both you and your passengers.

By braking firmly, you can reduce your speed, which lessens the violence of the impact. Steering to hit the animal at an angle, rather than directly head-on, can prevent the animal from coming through the windshield or colliding with the vehicle in a more severe manner. This technique is aimed at improving the chances of maintaining control of the vehicle while also ensuring that the force of the impact is distributed in a way that is less harmful.

Alternative options, such as accelerating to try to go over the animal, could lead to a more severe accident, especially if the vehicle loses control. Honking your horn might startle the animal but is unlikely to prevent the collision if avoidance is not possible. Closing your eyes and bracing for impact is not an advisable action, as it does not effectively prepare you for the situation and could lead to additional risks.