Drivers warned of frisky deer that pose ‘possible danger to life’ on the roads

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Drivers across the United States are being warned to watch out for deer entering their annual mating season, which officials say poses a serious collision risk and a possible danger to life on the roads.

National insurance figures show drivers face a 1 in 145 chance of colliding with an animal, according to an analysis by State Farm. The insurer estimated that more than 1.6 million animal collision claims were filed nationwide between July 2025 and June 2026, with deer topping the list of struck wildlife.

Drivers face the highest risk during the peak mating and hunting months of November, October and December.

West Virginia, Montana and Wisconsin rank as the top states for animal crashes, prompting officials across the country to issue regional warnings. In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection noted that the “fall rut” runs from mid-to-late October through mid-December.

“Collisions with deer pose a very serious safety threat and can cause significant damage to vehicles and possible loss of life,” said Dave Golden, assistant commissioner for NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, in an agency release. “It’s especially important that drivers be extra vigilant to this threat and take time to know steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of collision.”

State authorities also said that daily commutes frequently overlapped with peak animal activity around dawn and dusk. During the fall rut, deer are more likely to be present near and on roadways as bucks attempt to court does.

The safety hazard is expected to intensify when daylight saving time ends on November 1, shifting heavy traffic periods into darker hours.

The problem has grown worse as suburban development spreads into natural habitats. In New Jersey, around 100,000 deer now roam the state, according to Gothamist .

Nearby New York sees a similar toll, with state transport officials estimating between 60,000 and 70,000 deer crashes every year.

To reduce risk, officials advise motorists to slow down, watch for crossing signs and use high beams in the dark. If a collision is unavoidable, state guidelines urge drivers not to swerve, as counter-maneuvers make fatal crashes far more likely when vehicles hit oncoming traffic or roadside structures.

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