Drivers Warned To Stay Alert As Deer Season Begins
With Fall finally here, deer are officially on the move, and that means we need to keep our eyes out when we're on the road.
Why Deer Are More Active In The Fall
It is fairly common to encounter an animal crossing the road while you're driving in Indiana or Kentucky, but encountering a deer can be an entirely different experience. Their size makes them especially dangerous to motorists, and this time of year, deer are much more active.
As Indiana Weather Online points out on Facebook, deer start moving when the temperatures start dropping, noting that most car vs deer accidents happen this time of year in Indiana. They also point out that bucks usually begin their "rut" in the fall months.
When And Where Deer Collisions Happen Most
This means drivers need to be extra vigilant. When it comes to maintaining the safety and well-being of you and your passengers, there are steps you can take to ensure that your travels are as safe as possible, especially when it comes to driving in areas where an animal encounter is more likely.
Indiana And Kentucky Among Top States For Deer Collisions
According to 2023 data shared by State Farm, the odds of hitting an animal in the United States are 1 in 127. In Indiana, those odds are 1 in 100, and in Kentucky, they are even greater at 1 in 91.
Deer collisions once again led as the top animal struck, followed by rodents*, dogs, raccoons, and coyotes. The most dangerous months for animal collisions are November, October, and December, in that order. If you’re driving on a paved, rural road without much traffic and the sky is not quite dark, you are in the most common scenario to hit wildlife. - State Farm
Tips To Avoid Hitting A Deer While Driving
With the odds of hitting an animal higher than the national average, we have gathered some tips to help keep you safe while driving through Indiana and Kentucky.
- Keeping an eye on the road and the shoulder ahead of you allows you the opportunity to see any animals that may be nearby and gives you enough time to react if you spot one. Some animals, like deer, often move in groups. This means that if you see one on or near the road, there are likely others close by.
- To help you see ahead, drive with your high-beam headlights on whenever you can. Obviously, obey the rules of the road regarding your high beams and other motorists, but having your brights on may also help you spot animals more easily.
- Extra caution should be taken during the twilight hours near dusk and dawn when animals, especially deer, tend to be on the move.
- Be cautious in areas that have a heavy wildlife presence and be aware of hunting or mating seasons. These are peak times for animal activity.
- If you encounter an animal in the roadway, your natural inclination may be to jerk the steering wheel to avoid hitting it, but according to AAA, you should not "Veer for Deer." By swerving, you risk losing control of the vehicle, hitting another object like a tree or pole, or even placing yourself into the way of oncoming traffic.
Swerving to miss wildlife wandering in the road is often a natural reaction. But it can also be dangerous and put you at risk for a serious crash. More than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions occur each year in the United States, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates. Those collisions result in about $1 billion in vehicle damage and cause 150 deaths each year. - AAA
Instead of veering, AAA says you should slow down if you encounter a deer on or near the roadway. If you are unable to avoid hitting the deer, they say you should brake firmly while bringing your vehicle to a controlled stop.
What To Do If You Hit A Deer
If you do hit a deer, you should move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road if you're able to do so safely, and then call 911. You should never attempt to move the animal. If it's still alive, you could be seriously injured if you try to move it.
Animals You Might Encounter in The Wild in Indiana
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals
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