It's rush hour and everyone just wants to get home. As people went on the road to get to their destinations, so did two deer on the Golden Gate Bridge.
It's 5:30 p.m. on a Friday. Traffic is building up on the Golden Gate Bridge, but that's nothing unusual. Except this time it's not just the sheer volume of vehicles on the road that's to blame. California Highway Patrol received a call that two deer have been spotted on the bridge.
As people slowed down to make way for the two, traffic inevitably suffered. But it wasn't long before drivers were back on their way. By 6 p.m., CHP officers dispatched to take care of the situation were called off because the deer were no longer on the road.
There were reports that one of the deer may been hit but the CHP was not able to confirm anything. "Animal hazards" are common in the area but most of the time they sort themselves out because animals aren't fond of traffic, much like humans.
Traffic is a big inconvenience, but don't blame the deer. As urban spaces encroach on natural habitats, animals are left without much choice but to venture out on paved roads. But animals are smart and soon they learn how to adapt to the new environment.
Still, drivers must always be alert on the road so they can avoid hurting animals and themselves. Driving better is also essential. For instance, to avoid hitting animals on the road, it's better to step on the brakes than to swerve. Swerving abruptly usually causes loss of control of the vehicle, which leads to hitting trees along the side of the road or a vehicle from the opposite lane. Swerving also confuses the animal as to which way it should go to get away, which adds to the danger of the situation.
Don't forget to stick to speed limits as well and be more mindful of animal crossing signs, as these signify the likelihood of encountering animal hazards on the road. Make sure seat belts are on at all times, too, and that vehicles are in good working condition.
Even on roads, people and animals can coexist. It's just a matter of giving way to each other so everyone gets to where they need to be.
