HARTFORD, Conn. — Deer can be seen in all parts of Connecticut throughout the year, but the American Automobile Association reminds residents that October through December is deer-mating season.
Therefore, the animals are more active and more likely to enter the road abruptly, which increases the chances of a costly and possibly deadly collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 1.5 million deer-related vehicle crashes occur in the United States annually. Most deer strikes don’t involve serious injury, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that between the years 2013 and 2022, 1,900 people nationwide were killed because of crashes involving animals. Seven of these deaths happened in Connecticut.
Considering those statistics, AAA urges residents to stay focused and be on the watch for deer, especially during the morning and evening hours when distracted animals are most active and most likely to collide with vehicles on the roadway.
“Safety is priority one, so first and foremost, AAA encourages motorists to adjust their driving behaviors to prevent a deer collision,” AAA Club Alliance Spokesperson Tracy Noble said. “Repairs for crashes involving animals are covered by comprehensive insurance, so drivers should talk to their insurer to understand and, if necessary, adjust their coverage, as even minor collisions will likely lead to a major expense.”
Citing the UConn Crash Data Repository, AAA says that 4,791 deer crashes occurred in Connecticut between 2019 and 2023. The most occurred in 2022, with 1,024 crashes, while the fewest happened in 2023, with 872 collisions, meaning that deer crashes are extremely unpredictable year-to-year.
According to the AAA Insurance Agency, in 2023, the average claim for an animal strike in Connecticut for its policyholders rose $6,119, which is up 35% over a five-year span. Many factors are involved in these crashes.
AAA says a sharp increase in the rising expense of these crashes is due to new vehicle technology, including cameras and sensors that may be in the windshield, bumper or rearview parts, which drive up the cost of repairs.
Noble reaffirmed that it’s difficult to predict deer activity, so even the most skilled drivers are at risk.
“In addition to the inconvenience of having your vehicle damaged and possibly unavailable to you for a time because of a deer collision, the cost of repairs may put a serious dent in your wallet if you don’t have a comprehensive insurance policy with adequate coverage,” Noble said.
AAA lists several tips to avoid an animal collision, including keeping your eyes moving back and forth. While the most likely deer-related crash is caused by the animal running in front of your vehicle, it might also run into the side of your truck or car.
It also helps to be attentive early in the morning and during the evening hours, as many animals, including deer, are most active during prime commuting hours – 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. Knowing where deer may be is also worthwhile. Look for deer crossing signs and slow down near wooded areas or water.
At night, use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic. Look for the light to reflect off the eyes of a deer from a far distance. Also, when you see one deer, there is a strong chance more are to follow. Be cautious until you know all the deer have passed.
If an animal such as a deer is in the road, honk your horn with one long blast, AAA says. The Insurance Information Institute encourages drivers not to rely on devices such as deer whistles or reflectors, which have not been found to reduce collisions.
AAA says to never veer for a deer. If the animal is in your lane, maintain your lane. Swerving can confuse the animal, so they don’t know which direction to run, and can also put you in the path of oncoming traffic or objects on the side of the road.
Lastly, always wear a seatbelt, as the chances of getting injured when hitting an animal are much higher when drivers or passengers aren’t wearing one.
If a collision with an animal does occur, AAA recommends moving your vehicle out of the roadway, calling the police, putting the vehicle’s hazard lights on regardless of time of day, avoiding contact with the animal, contacting your insurance company and taking photos of the damage without entering the roadway.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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