Not Run Over a Squirrel

Template:Stub A way to avoid making a squirrel part of the pavement

Steps

Be alert. Keep your eyes on the road. Try to spot squirrels well in advance so that you can slam on your brakes in time.
When you see a squirrel in the road, realize that it most likely won't run away. It'll pause in fear.
Slam on the brakes.
If you just recently looked up to find the squirrel there, swerve. If you're on a low-traffic or rural road, swerving towards the woods is best, not into oncoming traffic. Keep in mind that there may be blind drives or mailboxes in your path, so swerve with caution.
If you're on the highway, in which case a squirrel in the road is rather rare, try to quickly merge into a lane towards the right shoulder (the left shoulder in the UK). Most squirrels won't go into the fast or center lanes anyway, so it's really the slow lane drivers who should watch out. Don't go into the center or fast lanes, try to either stop quickly or get into the breakdown lane (if that's allowed by law).

Use good judgement. While wildlife is always an important concern, you and other people are more important than the squirrel. If you really can't avoid them, or there are other cars or people around, brake only moderately and don't swerve. (It's pretty safe to honk.) It's not worth risking your life, others' lives, and a great amount of property to save one squirrel.
Slow lane drivers on highways with wooded areas on the right shoulder should always be prepared for this.