You're completely right. Many other animals understand the concept of roads and will leave them when a car approaches, as long as you don't surprise them before they have the chance. Foxes for example.

Deers however will cross a road when a car approaches, and sometimes even change their mind and cross the road a second time in the other direction.

But deer are a pest in most areas anyways, so they are better off dead. Just a shame for the damage done to the car