Kentucky State Police is reminding motorists that it’s peak season for deer-related crashes.
“It’s essential for drivers to stay vigilant during the fall season when driving on Kentucky roadways,” KSP Post 4 Public Affairs Officer Trooper Scotty Sharp said. “Often, deer roam in groups, so if a motorist sees one cross the road they should immediately slow down in anticipation of additional deer.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about one million car crashes with deer. Those accident kill 200 motorists, cause more than 10,000 injuries and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage.
In 2023, there were 3,285 deer-related crashes in Kentucky, resulting in 202 injuries and three fatalities.
KSP provides these reminders for all Kentuckians:
- 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 — K105 reported earlier this week that an elderly Cave City man died when another driver swerved to miss a deer and struck the victim’s vehicle.
- 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.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
