LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky State Police offered six tips Wednesday for drivers to avoid deer during the peak season for their movement.
KSP said in a news release Wednesday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said there are about 1million car crashes with deer each year. About 200 Americans die in those crashes every year.
In 2023 in Kentucky, there were 3,285 crashes involving deer. More than 200 people were injured, and three people were killed.
"It’s essential for drivers to stay vigilant during the fall season when driving on Kentucky roadways," KSP Trooper Scotty Sharp said in a news release. "Often deer roam in groups, so if a motorist sees one cross the road, they should immediately slow down in anticipation of additional deer."
Here are six tips from KSP to stay safe on the roads during peak season for deer movement:
- Be Aware: Be on the lookout for deer crossing signs throughout the state.
- Slow Down: Reduce your speed while traveling through an area prone to deer.
- Never Veer From Deer: Sudden sharp turns could place a driver in the path of oncoming traffic or cause your vehicle to strike a fixed object, such as a tree or utility pole.
- Herd Awareness: Deer travel in groups. Motorists who see a deer cross the road, should immediately anticipate that additional deer could enter the roadway.
- Timing Is Everything: Deer are most active at dusk and dawn, when your vision is most compromised. Additionally, deer are on the move during mating season (between October and January).
- Buckle Up: If a collision is unavoidable, hitting the deer is often safer than swerving. Wearing a seatbelt is your best defense during a crash and is also the law.
Related Stories:
- Case of Chronic Wasting Disease found in dead deer at Breckinridge County farm
- Kentucky wildlife officials expect another active deer hunting season, which begins Sept. 7
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