Massachusetts deer crashes hit document excessive: Car collisions leap between October and December

Right here’s your annual reminder to be careful for darting deer as they’re on the transfer throughout mating season.

Deer crashes in Massachusetts jumped to a document excessive final yr, in response to AAA Northeast — which reported practically 4,000 deer collisions within the Bay State.

Of the full 3,867 deer crashes final yr, practically 50% of the collisions (1,908) occurred from October to December. This three-month interval coincides with deer mating season, which is when deer are on the transfer and extra aggressive than common.

As a result of Northeast deer populations have grown dramatically over the previous few a long time, deer crashes have been steadily rising.

“Additional vigilance is required to anticipate and keep away from a deer darting into the roadway, particularly throughout night hours,” stated Mark Schieldrop, of AAA Northeast. “Deer are unpredictable and may seem in entrance of your automobile all of a sudden and with out warning.

“Bear in mind, when you see one deer, there’s likelihood that extra deer are close by,” he added.

The three,867 whole deer crashes reported final yr was the very best rely since 2002, based mostly on out there crash knowledge.

Deer crashes have greater than tripled since 2002, when 1,104 whole deer crashes have been reported.

Crashes final yr have been commonest close to sundown (6-8 p.m. earlier than the clock change, and 5-7 p.m. after the clock change), with 81% of deer crashes occurring exterior sunlight hours.

The highest counties for deer crashes have been Plymouth (332), Bristol/Worcester (322), Middlesex (252) and Essex (135).

The highest cities for deer crashes have been Westport (56), Middleboro (44), Swansea (34), Lakeville/Taunton (25), Plymouth/Uxbridge/Westford (24), Andover (23) and Freetown (22).