Have you ever hit an animal with your car before?

Yes, but I did try to avoid it.

I try not to kill anything unless I have to, Self-Defense, Survival, etc. and if I do kill I do it swiftly and decidedly.

This may seem corny, but I got this viewpoint from a friend and mentor who told me a story of his father. This happened in the early 50's. He told me that his father was a quiet man, and didn't speak to him all that often. But when he did speak it was usually something important, so he was sure to listen. His father was a salesman and was away from home often. But when he was at home he tried to take his son out to do something together, play baseball go to the museum etc.

They were casually walking down the street when my friend stepped on a cricket or some such bug, my friend said that he wouldn't have noticed except that it made that crunching sound. When he stopped to look, his father said watch... see how the bug squirms and tries to get away? You and I can see that it has no chance to live because it's guts are hanging out and half of its legs are gone. But the bug still tries to get away and stay alive. Then he said, son... god gave man intelligence and dominion over the earth and all its creatures, but we either do not know or have forgotten what this seemingly insignificant bug knows. You see, man will kill for the most petty of all reasons... anger, money, worldly goods. But this little bug has never forgotten that life is precious, and he said it should not be taken lightly, as he swiftly stomped the bug completely.

Then he said, this was an accident, but no creature deserves to die for petty reasons. If you kill, be sure you have a good reason and do it swiftly and decisively.

Later when my friend was old enough his father taught him how to be a responsible hunter, kill only what you need and eat what you kill etc. etc.

Anyhow... the way my friend told me the story, it seemed like a pretty important message, one that people should hear today.