The New York State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) cautioned drivers about the increased danger of hitting deer and moose this season. These animals are more active during their breeding seasons and more likely to cross roads, bridges and highways.
“It is always wise to drive carefully in areas where deer and moose live, but fall is an especially important time to be alert to their presence,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Knowing what to do when you encounter a deer or moose on or near the road can significantly decrease your likelihood of a crash.”
Deer and moose are especially active at dawn and dusk, times when visibility may be reduced and traffic may be heavier. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and their height, which puts their heads and much of their bodies above vehicle headlights. There are roughly 700 moose are in the Adirondack region, with a handful also along the Vermont and Massachusetts borders. There are estimated to be between 1.1 million to 1.3 million white-tailed deer in New York State.
In 2023, there were 31,329 crashes with a deer in New York State, five of them fatal, according to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research. There were an additional 7,328 with another animal.
Of those crashes, 12,195 crashes with deer occurred in the autumn months of October, November and December with the largest number, 5,498, in November.
There were 2,485 crashes with other animals in the same three-month timeframe.
Here are some tips to avoid a collision with a deer or a moose:
- Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can bolt or change direction at the last minute.
- If you see a deer cross the road, decrease speed. Deer often travel in groups, so expect other deer to follow.
- Use your headlights to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road.
- When a deer or moose approaches the roadway ahead, honk the car horn to discourage them from entering the roadway.
- Use added caution on roadways marked with deer crossing signs.
- Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced.
- If you encounter an animal in the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, tree, pole or other objects.
If an animal is hit, motorists are advised to stay away from it. A frightened, wounded deer or moose may use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to cause harm.
Other tips when you strike or encounter an animal include:
- Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road and turn on hazard lights. If leaving the vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of oncoming vehicles. If a collision occurs at dusk or dawn, be advised that traffic visibility is reduced.
- Call the police. Alert authorities if the animal is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury, death or more than $1,000 in property damage, fill out an official crash report and send it to DMV.
- Don’t assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that won’t latch and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow truck.
