To run over an animal without a second thought and not swerve

[Kimbomc]

I drove a friend back on Saturday , through a rural area nsl A road but quite narrow. A fiox came out in front, I took my foot off the accelerator but didn't brake as a car was too close behind me. Surprise surprise it didn't move and I heard a thump so we know what happened to it.

Friend seemed quite shocked that I didn't swerve or brake sharply, I said its just not worth it as could be very dangerous.

When these things happen my first thought is to hope it moves out of the way but to just remain as I am and don't do anything harshly. I do run over a lot of peasants that I don't feel great about but they do just wonder into the road.

So we were just chatting on what's app, she was saying she feels sad about the fox (we're both vegan) and I'm trying to explain how dangerous it would have been to do any different but she really doesnt get it.

I was right to do that right?

your friend is my SIL, isn't she? YANBU, in that situation it would have been V dangerous to try and avoid the animal.

If you had braked to try and avoid the fox and the car behind went into the back of you it would be their fault for driving too close.

Tailgating on a narrow country road is madness. Horses, tractors etc.

I would have at least stopped to see if it was dead or not. Sure it didn't damage your car?

Yanbu not to have swerved/braked. I would have done but accept that is not actually the best thing to do. Yabu not to have stopped or seem to be one bit bothered that an animal has died n could have lay there suffering in agony beforehand tho.

You did exactly the right thing, but her feeling sad about the fox surely doesn't mean she thinks you were wrong does it? It does come across in your OP as if you couldn't care less about the fox, which is maybe what she is upset about? I am sure that is not how you meant it though.

I live in a rural area, narrow roads, lots of pheasants. I drive quite carefully, look ahead, am always aware if someone is behind me, and pull over to let cars pass if they are tailgating. I have never hit a pheasant, or anything else (knock on wood). I think people should drive with more care.

50mph on a bendy country road is dangerous especially at this time of year when they'll be more tractors around.
Too many drivers try to keep to the national speed limit rather than thinking about the road conditions.
If it had been a walker or cyclist, could you have swerved safely?

Barry West would agree that swerving to avoid an animal is very dangerous indeed.

He's a great guy, btw. Very talented and inspiring.

I hit a pheasant once and stopped to check it. It wasn't dead so I had to break it's neck. After that, I'd always try and go and check to see if the animal were dead or not.

I think you were right to hold your nerve and not swerve but slightly odd that you don't feel any remorse/sadness that you killed the fox.

If you had braked to try and avoid the fox and the car behind went into the back of you it would be their fault for driving too close.

Yes it would of been, but still could of been very dangerous for us.

99% of car drivers can't drive around here.

If there's no traffic around then you can take evasive action. But with a car closely following, you were right to carry on. I was taught when I learnt to drive that you have to run over a small animal in that situation. I ran over a pigeon, car oncoming and car behind me, it was the only safe thing to do.

Next time, drive a lot slower if someone is so close to you that braking will be dangerous. And are you sure you need to take a hand off the wheel to beep??? All my cars have been designed to make it safe to beep.
Your reaction was instinctive and for a small animal, probably the only safe option but your reaction is quite callous so i am not surprised your friend is upset. Its because you are both vegan. She probably expected sadness at causing an animals death, even if unavoidable.

I agree claraschu I do lots of rural driving. On narrow lanes you may have to stop dead suddenly for lots of reasons-especially farm machinery coming towards you. Or a herd of cows in the road.

I wouldn't drive at 50mph.

You did the safest thing. I'm sure you were sad about the fox too but there was nothing else you could do in the circumstances. I had to hit a bird once which promptly exploded in a hail of feathers much to dds horror. Felt awful but nothing else to be done.

Sorry no I do care about the fox, I just weigh it up in my mind that we were unhurt and what could of happened to us.

Friend is vegan 100% because shes crazy about a animals, I'm more for health reasons but I still care for animal rights. Think that's how we clash on this issue.

I live in a very rural area. I have killed one pheasant (and I stopped to make sure it was dead) and no animals. Could it be that you drive too fast for country lanes?

I can understand not wanting to slam your breaks on if you know there is a car behind you.

I slow down a bit if someones driving too close though. Precisely to give me more time in case of having to break suddenly. Not (just) to be annoying to those who want to drive at 90 mph everywhere at all times and think they can push other drivers up the road.

Bug bear of mine!

50 was fine on this road.

Car wasn't super close behind, but still close enough that it didn't have a safe stopping distance IMO.

Remember that if it's a farm animal, including a dog, you have to report it to the police (see rule 286 of the Highway Code). The Highway Code used to give a very specific list of animals to which this applied, which included farm animals, horses and dogs, but not cats because they're considered to be "wild" animals. Looking at the Highway Code now, it just says any animal.

When I learned to drive, I was told that those animals are the owner's responsibility. "Morning, Mr Forgetful," said the policeman. "Tell Farmer Fields there's a sheep loose in the lane, will you?" Poor Mr Forgetful! "How silly letting a sheep loose in the lane," he said, when he later fell over it.

How was 50mph fine on a rural narrow lane?

Maybe you don't live in a rural area where they release them to hunt? First time I've hit anything other than a pheasant.

Was there traffic coming in the opposite direction?

Yabu to not give it a second thought or be that bothered afterwards by the sound of it.I'd have stopped to check it wasn't suffering and felt quite upset tbh. I'm rural too.

If there was a close car behind you then you had no option so yanbu there.

Your friend isn't bu either.

If it was unsafe to swerve or brake then common sense says your friend should thank heavens she didn't end up in a ditch somewhere!

I have gritted my teeth and hit a pheasant or two dumb birds but I've also swerved if I've seen the road is wide enough and clear.

Really?! I'll have to look that up I've unfortunately killed many pheasants.

I said its an 'A' road. It wasn't a single file very narrow country lane.