NCDOT Reminds Drivers to Keep Alert for Deer on the Roads During Fall Months
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NCDOT Reminds Drivers to Keep Alert for Deer on the Roads During Fall Months

Deer are on the roadways more during the fall and into early winter due to the hunting and mating seasons

October 1, 2024

As temperatures cool and days shorten, deer become more active near roadways, especially at dawn and dusk. Collisions with deer spike in the fall during mating and hunting seasons, creating hazards for drivers across the state. Here’s what you need to know to reduce your risk of a deer-vehicle crash.

When Deer Are Most Active

Deer movement peaks during October and November when bucks search for mates and herds roam more widely. Reduced daylight after the end of daylight saving time in early November means more driving in low light just as deer activity ramps up.

High-Risk Times and Locations

More than half of deer collisions occur between 5 pm and midnight. Crashes often happen near wooded edges, rural bridges and overpasses, and along streams or railroad tracks, natural travel corridors for wildlife.

Key Prevention Strategies

  • Slow down in areas marked with deer crossing signs or dense forest cover, especially at night.
  • Use high beams when safe and legal. Watch for the reflection of deer eyes in your headlights.
  • Expect more than one deer. If you see one, others often follow close behind.
  • Maintain extra following distance from the vehicle ahead. If it brakes suddenly for a deer, you’ll have more time to react.
  • Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Swerving can lead to rollovers or collisions with oncoming traffic or roadside obstacles.
  • Sound your horn with one long blast to encourage deer to move off the road.
  • Skip deer whistles and reflectors, studies show they do not reliably prevent collisions.
  • Wear your seatbelt. Most serious injuries in deer crashes involve unbelted drivers or passengers.
  • If you strike a deer, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and call 911. Do not approach the animal, it may be injured and unpredictable.

By driving with extra caution in deer country this fall, reducing speed, using high beams, and staying alert—you can help keep yourself and wildlife safe on the road.