The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging motorists to be especially cautious during the fall months as deer-related crashes rise significantly. Since 2019, there have been 109,507 deer-involved crashes on Ohio roadways. While most of these crashes—95%—resulted in only property damage, there have been 44 fatal crashes, leading to 45 deaths.

The majority of deer crashes occur during the fall. From 2019 to 2023, nearly half (47%) of these crashes happened in October, November, and December, with November accounting for 22% of all deer-related incidents.

Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent, advised drivers to stay focused and practice safe driving habits. “Practicing safe driving habits and staying fully focused on the road increases your chances of spotting deer before it’s too late,” he said. “If you do strike a deer, prioritize your safety by moving to a secure location, turning on your hazard lights, and reporting the incident.”

The counties with the highest number of deer-related crashes include Stark (3,138 crashes), Richland (2,880), Hancock (2,725), and Defiance (2,560), which together account for 10% of all deer-involved crashes in Ohio. Additionally, more than 100 deer crashes have occurred in nearly every county across the state since 2019.

To reduce the risk of a collision with wildlife, OSHP recommends the following tips:

• *Scan the road ahead for wildlife, especially in rural areas.
• Use high-beam headlights when possible, as they help to illuminate the road further.
• Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.
• If a collision is unavoidable, brake firmly but do not swerve as this can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Motorists are also reminded that they can dial #677 from their mobile phones to reach the nearest Ohio State Highway Patrol post in the event of an emergency on the road.

For more detailed crash statistics, including a statistical map of deer-involved incidents, visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s OSTATS Dashboard, which provides data on traffic safety and crash trends across the state.

Stay alert, drive safely, and help reduce the number of deer-related accidents this season.