Even the most rugged vehicles are no match for a darting deer. Stats from a 2022 Cell Biology study suggest that roughly 2.1 million deer-vehicle collisions happen each year, costing more than $10 billion dollars in economic losses and accounting for 59,000 human injuries and deaths.
But these elegant creatures—the white-tailed deer being the most common species across the U.S.—aren’t looking for a fight. Whether you’re traversing a major highway or a rural route, it’s important to watch out for wildlife and learn to share the road. With the deer population surging in states beyond those generally known for its active wildlife scene, the intersection of humans, automobiles, and animals is growing too.
Read on to learn about where and when you might encounter deer on the road, plus we’ll share tips for coexisting without collisions.
Human, Meet Deer: How to Prepare for Potential Encounters
For anyone who’s had an unexpected rendezvous with a deer while driving, both humans and deer generally have that same “in the headlights” look. The meaning of the expression “like a deer in headlights” actually sheds light on the reason deer seem to jump in front of us at the very worst times.
It’s all about vision. Deer are crepuscular, which means they operate best and are most active in low light and darkness. It also means our pesky blinding headlights hurt their sensitive eyes, which have a high proportion of rods and fully dilated pupils to move around under cover of night. If you’ve ever had your pupils dilated for a vision test, you know how hard it is to see anything without tremendous discomfort.
We are quick to say “Hello, deer?! Don’t you see me?!” but the truth is, they don’t! It takes a few minutes for the animals to register the jarring brightness of our beams. Hence the “freeze” before they decide to either flee or run full force into your car. And if their family members are involved—think tiny fawns and mates—that risk assessment requires even more consideration before action.
When you encounter deer on your route, it can help to think of these incidents from the animal’s point of view. If we understand deer better, perhaps we can react with a little less panic.
Top States and Times of Year for Deer Encounters
No matter where you live, deer are likely there. Which can mean, unfortunately, the risk of encountering one behind the wheel.
Based on 2024 insurance data, the odds of hitting an animal (with deer being the most commonly struck animal) are highest in:
- West Virginia (1 in 40)
- Montana (1 in 54)
- Michigan (1 in 59)
- Pennsylvania (1 in 61)
- Wisconsin (1 in 63)
Pennsylvanians submitted the highest number of auto claims—a whopping total of 150,300.
When’s the last time you reviewed your car insurance coverage? Make sure your policy has the protection you need to keep you, your vehicle and passengers safe and sound.
Despite what that silly holiday song says about grandma, it’s not just the fall or winter months that bring out the deer. When fields and forests are in full spring bloom and deer have ample vegetation to feed on, the population also surges. Mating takes place in the fall and winter months, bringing on the baby boom of spring. And, shorter daylight hours in the fall contribute to more opportunities for “deer meets car.” That’s why the spring and fall–according to the experts–bring the highest number of deer-car collisions.
During the “rut”—mating season—deer tend to be more active in the afternoon. Hunters report that deer in general (year-round) are most active at dawn; the second most active time of day is dusk. While they have excellent night vision, they are not actually nocturnal. They also tend to be less active in the rain, move more slowly when it’s cold, and move around more on windy days.
5 Safety Tips for Driving Where the Deer Are
Driving will always come with risks we can’t control. But we can mitigate the risks if we practice deer-defensive driving instead of a fear-based approach. Whether you live in a high deer population area or have plans to travel into deer-dense territory, here are five tips to stay safe.
- Minimize distractions. Stay sharp, always. Country roads where deer abound are more likely to have sharp curves, steep inclines, downed trees or branches, no guardrails or shoulders, and other surprises that urban and suburban drivers are not accustomed to. Throw in a deer or two—or a dozen—and your full attention on the road becomes even more vital.
- Anticipate deer. The unpredictability of these large animals (especially if you’ve hit one before) can make you tense and fearful. But hesitant or jerky driving can have possibly hazardous outcomes, especially if roads are slippery or icy.
- Slow down. Road conditions notwithstanding, if you’re traveling through a herd hot spot, keep your eyes open and tread lightly. You’re in their territory, so be a good neighbor and slow down, just as you would in a school zone. Many accidents can be prevented by simply reducing our speed.
- Try deer whistles, but don’t rely on them. Some people swear by these aftermarket accessories that you can buy online or in stores like Tractor Supply or AutoZone. But there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prove they work.
- Opt for an alternate route. If you’re traveling at a high (deer) traffic time like dawn or dusk, see if you can take a main road or major highway instead of a low-lit back road through the fields and forests. Those extra 10 minutes or miles could make a difference, and you’ll probably feel more relaxed while driving
Where to see deer—on purpose
Want to admire deer off the road? Check out our list of top national parks and state parks worth visiting. Plus, if you’re ATVing, make sure you’re ready for spring with these 10 tips and adequate insurance coverage (deer collisions aren’t just reserved to cars on the road).
Have you encountered a deer while driving? How did you react? Tell us about your experiences in the comments.
