(WFRV) – With spring upon us, Wisconsin State Patrol and WisDOT officials are reminding drivers to stay alert as deer crashes tend to rise during May and June.
After 2024 saw more than 17,000 crashes involving deer in Wisconsin, WisDOT officials are asking drivers to drive at a safe speed, eliminate distractions, and make sure everyone is buckled up.
The increase in deer crashes during spring months is due to deer looking for places to give birth and young deer being separated from their mothers.
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“Deer can be erratic and hard to spot, so it’s important that drivers are looking ahead and paying close attention to the sides of the road,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan. “Spring and fall are the times when we see the most deer crashes. Everyone on the road should be on the watch.”
During 2024, nine people were killed and 708 were injured during the over 17,000 incidents, officials say their preliminary data showed.
Officials provided the following 10 Wisconsin counties that had the most deer crashes in 2024:
- Waukesha – 937
- Washington – 798
- St. Croix – 791
- Dane – 770
- Sheboygan – 763
- Fond du lac – 683
- Outagamie – 666
- Manitowoc – 645
- Walworth – 550
- Winnebago – 532
The release also noted a few tips when encountering a deer, including to be on the lookout for more deer if you only see one, and to honk your horn to encourage them to move away from the road.
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Officials also say to not swerve if a deer runs out in front of your vehicle, “brake firmly and stay in your lane, and avoid sudden swerving.”
Most deer crashes happen in the early morning and evening hours.
If a crash happens, WisDOT provided the following tips:
- If possible, get your vehicle safely off the road
- If someone is hurt or the deer is in the active portion of the road, call 911
- If no one is hurt and your vehicle and deer are off the road, contact local law enforcement
- Stay buckled up inside your vehicle and wait for help
- Getting out of your vehicle and walking along a road is always dangerous
- Never attempt to move an injured deer.
No other information was provided.
