'Darting out into the road': Peak deer activity is here, causing increased traffic deaths

Deer cause the deaths of about 10 people on Ohio roads every year, on average.

There have been almost 110,000 deer-involved crashes in the Buckeye State since 2019, according to a news release provided by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

"While 95% of deer-involved crashes only resulted in property damage, 44 crashes were fatal and resulted in 45 deaths," OHP noted.

Ohio counties that saw the most wrecks involving deer during that timeframe were: Stark (3,138), Richland (2,880), Hancock (2,725) and Defiance (2,560).

Drivers should keep an eye out: The next several weeks will be some of the most active for the state's deer population, according to Brian Plasters, communication manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

'They're going to be darting out into the road'

Deer tend to be on the prowl most from October to January.

"The deer are in what's called the rut, which is their mating season," Plasters said. "During the rut, bucks and does are going to be moving a lot more."

Although deer tend to follow a daily pattern throughout the year, that routine is abandoned during the mating season.

"They're going to be in places where you might not expect them to be," Plasters said. "They're going to be less cautious than they typically are, so they're going to be darting out into the road, potentially."

By about New Year's Day, the deer should be settling into their post-rut winter routine.

'Be extra cautious around dawn and dusk'

Thanks to the time change, morning and evening commutes are now taking place right when deer are the most active.

"Certainly, be extra cautious around dawn and dusk," Plasters said. "That's very important because that's when deer typically are moving more."

Deer graze in fields and then move toward wooded areas to bed down.

"They like forests and they like riverways," Plasters said. "They like riparian corridors."

Seldom do deer travel alone.

"If you see one near or around the roadway, that's a good indication that others might be nearby," Plasters said. "Think of how many times you've seen a deer dart across the road and then not 10 seconds later or less, another one just dives right after it. So if you see one deer, be on the lookout for another one."

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Tips to avoid hitting a deer while driving

The Ohio Highway Patrol offers the following tips to avoid animal collisions:

• scan the road ahead
• use high-beam headlights when able
• be extra cautious at dawn and dusk, and
• if a collision is unavoidable, brake and stay in your lane, but never swerve.

"Practicing safe driving habits and staying fully focused on the road increases your chances of spotting deer before it's too late," Col. Charles A. Jones, a patrol superintendent, said. "If you do strike a deer, prioritize your safety by moving to a secure location if possible, turning on your hazard lights and reporting the incident."

Motorists can dial #677 from their mobile device to be connected to the nearest Ohio Highway Patrol Post during an emergency.

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