As the temperatures outside start to dip, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is putting out the warning to be alert for an increase in the movements of deer across the Commonwealth.
The yearly “Antler Alert” is set to promote safer highways by reminding motorists to be constantly alert for deer and other wildlife this fall and winter. Nearly half of all deer collisions occur during the last three months of the year. Fall’s shorter days and cooler nights put deer on the move, as do crop harvesting activities.
Motorists should be extra cautious in the early morning and late evening hours when deer are going to be most active as they search for food and mates. In Kentucky, 3,228 highway crashes where a vehicle struck a deer were reported in 2023, up nearly 150 over the previous year and the highest recorded in the last five years. There were three reported fatalities – one fewer than last year – and 30 serious injuries, which was an increase over last year.
Hopkins County leads the state in deer-related crash with 126 reported in 2023—Christian County reported 96 and Muhlenberg County reported 84.
On average, U.S. drivers have a 1 in 128 chance of a collision with an animal but Kentucky ranks above the national average at 1 chance in 98.