Patrol Promotes Safe Driving Ahead of Peak Deer Season

OHIO – As we transition from fall to winter, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is reminding drivers to always remain aware when behind the wheel, specifically when traveling during the morning or evening hours.

“We know that deer activity typically increases at dawn and dusk, when visibility is low and many drivers are traveling to and from work,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “To keep yourself and other drivers safe, I encourage everyone to drive defensively, follow the posted speed limit, and never drive distracted.”

During the month of November, the Patrol tends to see an uptick in deer-related crashes due to the combination of peak deer breeding season and the end of daylight-saving time. To combat this trend, drivers are reminded to:

• Be aware of the time, as deer are most active between sunset and sunrise.
• Look beyond your immediate headlights and scan the roadsides for deer.
• Brake, never swerve. If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes, but remain in your lane.
• Pull safely off the roadway and call 911 or the nearest Patrol post in the event of a crash. Do not approach an injured deer.

According to Patrol statistics, there have been 111,359 deer-involved crashes since the beginning of 2021. Of those crashes, 49 were fatal, resulting in 50 total deaths. Although motorcyclists are only involved in 1% of deer-related crashes, they account for 82% of the fatal crashes.

“By staying alert and committing to safe driving practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in a crash,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “We strongly encourage drivers to slow down, eliminate distractions and always be prepared to stop their vehicle.”

The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report a crash. Additional information on deer-related crashes is available on the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) crash dashboard at: https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/dashboards-statistics/ostats-dashboards/crash-dashboard.