The ‘rut season’ is underway, and this means male deer are on the move to find a mate.
In order to do this, they must go outside of their home range. This greatly increases the chances of encountering deer on the roadway from dusk till dawn, when drivers need to be very vigilant.
As the weather cools, deer activity increases. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is aware of this seasonal danger to motorists. To minimize the threat, the organization has kicked off its annual “Antler Alert” campaign.
This education push drives home a few simple steps the public should take to protect themselves. The first is to slow down the moment you spot even one deer. That’s because the animals tend to travel in groups. Don’t swerve to avoid deer either. Doing so may lead to a more serious crash, with an oncoming vehicle or a roadside object.
In the event of an actual collision, keep both hands on the wheel and engage the brakes steadily until you stop. It also pays to scan the road constantly while driving, especially at dawn and at dusk. Deer are particularly active during these hours.
KYTC also encourages motorists to report any deer-vehicle collisions to the police. KYTC engineers use the information to deploy deer-crossing signs and other safety measures.
On average, U.S. drivers have a 1 in 116 chance of colliding with an animal, according to data from State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.
However, Kentucky ranks above the national average and 18th among the states at 1 chance in 88. By comparison, drivers in neighboring West Virginia run the highest risk with a 1 in 37 chance.
