New York’s fall deer rut is turning roads across the state into hazardous territory for drivers.
As mating season intensifies in autumn, deer become increasingly active along the Empire State’s highways and local roads. The seasonal movement contributes to an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 vehicle crashes each year, according to the New York State Department of Transportation, which has launched a new public-awareness campaign.
“Deer don’t check traffic. They don’t use crosswalks and apparently their friends give awful advice,” the NYDOT said in a warning to motorists.
About 40% to 43% of deer-related collisions occur between October and December, the height of the breeding season.
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A collision with a deer at speeds reaching 60 mph can have deadly consequences. Approximately five people are killed in these crashes each season.
The adult male white-tailed deer, New York’s most common deer species, generally weighs 150 to 300 pounds. Larger bucks can exceed 350 pounds and occasionally reach 400 pounds.
New York is home to roughly 900,000 deer. The NYDOT recommends that drivers follow these precautions:
