Motor vehicle accidents involving deer spike this time of the year and transportation officials are reminding motorists to be extra cautions.
The movement of deer along Kentucky highways takes a noticeable upturn starting in early-October. Shorter days and cooler evenings serve to kick off the fall deer mating season. Increased field activity by farmers as they harvest crops may also contribute to putting deer on the move and make them more likely to come into the path of passing vehicles.
In 2018, 3,086 deer-vehicle collisions were reported across the Commonwealth, a slight drop from the more than 3,200 reported to police agencies in 2017.
Christian, Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties ranked in the top third of Kentucky in collisions involving deer last year—with at least part of at due to parkways and interstates in each county.
Motorists are reminded to drive defensively and be on the lookout for deer. Don’t swerve to miss the animals, as doing so could cause you to strike another vehicle or object. Always wear your seat belt and slow down immediately when you see a deer ahead.