In France’s Saône-et-Loire region this July, police issued an official warning to motorists: “Not all road users are sober.” After gorging on overripe, fermented forest fruits, the deer became "intoxicated" and began acting erratically, zigzagging, freezing in traffic, or darting off unexpectedly.
It is a classic display of French charm: even the local wildlife seems to have a refined palate for fine wine—or at least fermented berries.
Driven by record heat and a surplus of ripe fruit, the deer overindulged on fermented berries, apples, and other natural treats. Consequently, these forest dwellers got a taste of natural alcohol and sparked absolute chaos on the roadways:
- darting around in zigzags,
- suddenly paralyzing themselves in the middle of the road,
- abruptly changing their line of travel,
- and occasionally just curling up for a nap right on the pavement.
The police handled the situation with wit, posting a humorous official warning on social media:
“Not all road users are sober. If Bambi has overindulged in a forest apéritif, it is best not to speed.”
Authorities urged drivers to reduce their speed and prepare for "unexpected crossings, unstable trajectories, and erratic escapes." The post quickly went viral, sparking amusement across the nation.
Why this feels so quintessentially French
The French maintained their signature charm and self-deprecating humor even in this unusual situation. Rather than issuing a dry safety alert, they transformed the event into a clever and endearing meme. After all, if the local deer have developed a taste for fermented fruit, it is practically a national tradition!
Stories like this serve as a reminder that nature also likes to "unwind" from time to time. Fortunately, no serious accidents were caused by the "inebriated" deer, and everyone made it home safely—albeit likely with a bit of a hangover.
