Wayne, N.J., October 8, 2020 — New Jersey drivers need to buck up this fall and watch for deer. According to a AAA Northeast analysis of New Jersey crash data, October, November, and December are by far the peak months for deer crashes in the Garden State. From October through December 2018 (the latest year for which data is available), there were 5,271 deer crashes – equivalent to one deer crash every 25 minutes.
Motorists should always be alert for deer, but especially vigilant during dusk hours. Crashes were most common near sunset, when darkness is just setting in. From October-December 2018, 77 percent of deer crashes occurred outside daylight hours.
From October-December 2018, the top counties for deer crashes were:
- Monmouth (572)
- Burlington (538)
- Somerset (406)
- Middlesex (396)
- Ocean (392)
- Morris (356)
“Drivers should always be on the lookout for hazards on the road, but the danger of deer is particularly acute in the fall,” said Robert Sinclair, Manager of Media Relations for AAA Northeast. “Deer present dangers to themselves, to your vehicle, and to your person, so it behooves everybody to be prepared.”
AAA offers the following tips for avoiding or mitigating deer crashes:
- Slow Down. Reduce speed in low-light conditions, which will give you more time to respond to unexpected wildlife movements.
- Scan off-road areas. Deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road.
- Be patient. Where there is one, there may be many, so don’t speed off after a deer crosses your path as there may be more nearby.
- Be prepared. If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane; swerving sharply to avoid an animal can cause an even more serious crash.