Watch Out for Deer-Car Collisions

Georgia wildlife officials are urging people to be on the lookout for deer when driving this Fall.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, this is a peak time for deer activity and movement, which makes it also a peak time for deer-car collisions.

State Deer Biologist Charlie Killmaster said there are two main reasons drivers may see more deer along the roads at this time of the year.

He says the first reason is that it is breeding season for the deer.

Killmaster said the second reason has to do with the time change.

“When we have the time shift, you have more of a shift in drivers on the roads or at dawn and dusk,” said Killmaster.

According to Killmaster, the rise in deer activity around roadways can be especially hazardous when combined with other driving distractions.

He urged people to be on the lookout for deer while driving and pay attention.

“Pay close attention to the sides of the roads,” said Killmaster. “Slow down, especially at dawn and dusk and in darkness. Multiple deer are also a concern. If you see one deer cross the road, really start to slow down because there is probably another deer behind that one and that is often the one that gets hit.”

In addition, Killmaster said that deer are unpredictable, noting that deer calmly standing along the road may bolt into the road if startled by a vehicle.

Meanwhile, he said that it is too late to avoid a collision, drivers should slow down to minimize damage, instead of swerving to avoid the collision, which could send the driver off of the roadway or into the path of another vehicle.