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Deer in headlights is probably a much simpler explanation - their eyes+pupils are adapted to the dim light, and sudden application of headlights is blinding. I

• sandworm101 7y ago
  It's more complex than that. If I shine a light at you in the dark it will hurt. You will close your eyes, look away or shield your face. The deer don't even blink, the most primitive response to bright light. They are transfixed like the chicken.
  • DecoPerson 7y ago
    Because looking away may lead to death. When does a deer naturally get suddenly exposed to blinding light? Ignoring the response of "ah it's bright, look away" avoids false positives accidentally getting the deer killed. Actual positives never occurred during night time until humans developed artificial illumination.
  • de_watcher 7y ago
    I think when climbing up a tree you're often exposed to sudden sun in the face. Deer don't climb trees.
• LanceH 7y ago
  Faced with a predator at distance, deer freeze and depend on camouflage. A completely stationary deer is damn hard to see in the hills during the day. It's even more difficult to see at night. Faced with an oncoming car, they go with their natural reaction to stay still, and it works every time, except the last.