WESTWOOD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Travelers throughout our region have probably noticed far more deer at the roadside than they did a month ago. Their eyes aren’t deceiving them: Fall is by far the worst season for deer collisions.

In Massachusetts, there were 1,569 deer crashes from October to December 2024 — equivalent to once every 84 minutes, according to the MassDOT Impact Crash Data Portal. These crashes were most common near sunset, with 79% of crashes occurring outside daylight hours.

The top counties for deer crashes from October to December 2024 were Worcester (270), Middlesex (231), Bristol/Plymouth (229) and Essex (124).

The top towns for deer crashes from October to December 2024 were Westport (43), Plymouth (22), Middleborough (19), Wareham (17), Freetown/Hanover/Rehoboth/Sturbridge (16), and Dartmouth/East Bridgewater/Mattapoisett/Westford (15).

In 2024, October through December saw 44% of deer crashes in Massachusetts, with deer rutting season happening during those months, when instinct drives deer to look for mates. The fervor of reproducing often leads to erratic behavior, with the animals more likely to run into traffic, especially during dusk. Drivers should be especially alert during the evening rush and during overnight hours.

“Striking a deer can be extremely dangerous, with the animal possibly going through the windshield, seriously injuring or killing the driver and passengers,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast.

But abrupt evasive maneuvers can be even worse. Drivers should never swerve to avoid a deer, especially on country roads. Going to the right could send the vehicle into a stationary roadside object, such as a tree or light pole. Swerving to the left could result in a lethal head-on crash with oncoming traffic. Even slamming too hard on the brakes could send the front end of the vehicle into a nosedive, rolling the animal up the hood and through the windshield.

The consequences of deer crashes can be severe. In 2023, 218 people were killed and more than 40,000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving live animals, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

AAA offers the following tips for avoiding or mitigating deer crashes:
• Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you. Deer may dash out from wooded areas adjacent to the road.
• Obey the speed limit. Lower speeds will give a driver more time to react to unexpected animal movement.
• Sound the horn with one long blast if you notice animals early enough. The sound may frighten them away.
• Apply the brakes if a collision is unavoidable to lessen the energy of the crash.
• Contact your insurance company to report any damage to your car, which generally falls under comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage if you can do so safely and without entering the roadway.
month ago. Their eyes aren’t deceiving them: Fall is by far the worst season for deer collisions.

In Massachusetts, there were 1,569 deer crashes from October to December 2024 — equivalent to once every 84 minutes, according to the MassDOT Impact Crash Data Portal. These crashes were most common near sunset, with 79% of crashes occurring outside daylight hours.

The top counties for deer crashes from October to December 2024 were Worcester (270), Middlesex (231), Bristol/Plymouth (229) and Essex (124).

The top towns for deer crashes from October to December 2024 were Westport (43), Plymouth (22), Middleborough (19), Wareham (17), Freetown/Hanover/Rehoboth/Sturbridge (16), and Dartmouth/East Bridgewater/Mattapoisett/Westford (15).

In 2024, October through December saw 44% of deer crashes in Massachusetts, with deer rutting season happening during those months, when instinct drives deer to look for mates. The fervor of reproducing often leads to erratic behavior, with the animals more likely to run into traffic, especially during dusk. Drivers should be especially alert during the evening rush and during overnight hours.

“Striking a deer can be extremely dangerous, with the animal possibly going through the windshield, seriously injuring or killing the driver and passengers,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast.

But abrupt evasive maneuvers can be even worse. Drivers should never swerve to avoid a deer, especially on country roads. Going to the right could send the vehicle into a stationary roadside object, such as a tree or light pole. Swerving to the left could result in a lethal head-on crash with oncoming traffic. Even slamming too hard on the brakes could send the front end of the vehicle into a nosedive, rolling the animal up the hood and through the windshield.

The consequences of deer crashes can be severe. In 2023, 218 people were killed and more than 40,000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving live animals, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

AAA offers the following tips for avoiding or mitigating deer crashes:
• Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you. Deer may dash out from wooded areas adjacent to the road.
• Obey the speed limit. Lower speeds will give a driver more time to react to unexpected animal movement.
• Sound the horn with one long blast if you notice animals early enough. The sound may frighten them away.
• Apply the brakes if a collision is unavoidable to lessen the energy of the crash.
• Contact your insurance company to report any damage to your car, which generally falls under comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage if you can do so safely and without entering the roadway.