Why Fall Is Peak Season for Deer-Car Collisions, and How to Stay Safe

The increasingly shorter days paired with deer mating season make this the most dangerous time of the year for deer collisions. Here is what you need to know about this threat, including how you can reduce your risk of hitting a deer while driving.

Fall is Peak Time for Deer and Vehicle Collisions

Deer and vehicle collisions peak during the fall months. The shorter days combine with the natural deer mating season to increase this threat. According to automotive agency AAA Northeast, deer are much more active during their mating season, sending them out into populated areas with greater frequency.

In addition to the uptick in activity, deer also tend to behave more erratically as they enter mating season, also known as the rut. Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast, recently told meteorological news agency AccuWeather that this is when deer "start engaging in bad behavior, unpredictable behavior, especially running out into a road."