Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has issued an annual Antler Alert to remind drivers that the peak season for deer-vehicle collisions has arrived since about half of all such crashes occur during the last three months of the year.

“October, November, and December bring a noticeable increase in highway collisions involving deer,” said Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. “We’d like to remind drivers to be especially watchful for deer and other wildlife on the move at dusk and at night when poor visibility is already an issue.”

According to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Deer Program Coordinator Noelle Thompson, shorter days and cooler nights help to trigger deer mating season and put deer on the move.

Autumn harvesting also contributes to this movement as deer are forced to range farther afield for forage and hiding places.

In Kentucky, 2,988 highway crashes involving deer were reported to police in 2021, according to crash data used by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety to monitor highway crash trends. That was an increase of about 100 crashes from 2020.   There were three reported fatalities and 25 serious injuries due to deer collisions in 2021.

On average, U.S. drivers have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal. Kentucky ranks above the national average and 18^th among the states at 1 chance in 88. Drivers in neighboring West Virginia run the highest risk, 1 in 37, according to State Farm Insurance.

The Transportation Cabinet offers their tips:

–Slow down immediately upon spotting a deer crossing the roadway; they tend to travel in groups.

–Don’t swerve to avoid a deer, which can result in a more serious crash with an oncoming vehicle or roadside object.

–In the event of a crash, keep both hands on the wheel and apply brakes steadily until stopped.

–Always wear a seat belt.

–Keep headlights on bright at night unless other vehicles are approaching.

–Eliminate distractions while driving: Phones down!

–Drive defensively, constantly scanning the roadside, especially at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.