Drivers are being warned to be on the lookout for deer, which are very active in the fall, when the risk of accidents dramatically increases, officials said.
DuPage County Forest Preserve District ecologist Brian Kraskiewicz said that deer breeding season runs through December “and these large animals won’t think twice about crossing busy roads in their search of mates, especially around dusk and dawn.”
In 2023, there were 14,862 crashes involving deer in Illinois, according to officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation. Of those, 14,192 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, while 663 caused injuries. Seven of the crashes resulted in fatalities.
Kane County had the third-most crashes last year involving deer in Illinois, with 384, with Will County just behind at 381. Cook County had the most crashes involving deer with 598.
Although a collision with a deer can happen any time, Illinois is approaching the time of year when the most crashes with them occur, Illinois Department of Transportation officials said. Last year, 41% of crashes involving deer in Illinois occurred in October, November and December, with November being the highest-risk month. Rural areas were the site of 69% of crashes involving deer, with 72% occurring at twilight or nighttime.
DuPage County Forest Preserve District officials advise drivers to reduce speed and watch for deer on the edge of the road, especially around curves and during dawn and dusk. They’re common along woods, fields, fencerows and waterways, but can be encountered almost anywhere, they said.
Drivers should look for deer-crossing signs, which mark areas where collisions are likely to occur.
According to a press release from the district, “don’t assume a deer in the road will run off as you approach. It may bolt but then quickly change direction without warning.”
Officials said that if drivers see a deer, they should be on the lookout for more, as deer often move in pairs or in larger groups.
“Don’t use your horn unless a collision looks inevitable,” officials said in the release. “Distant noise may confuse the deer. Close noise may produce an extra burst of speed from the animal, but there really is no way to predict how a deer will respond.”
District officials advise that drivers should not swerve to avoid deer, as it could result in a more severe crash. Slow to a stop and wait, and flash your headlights to encourage the animal to move, officials said.
They also noted that drivers shouldn’t solely rely on a vehicle’s automatic emergency braking system, because it may not be designed to recognize large animals.
According to the release, if an accident does occur, drivers and passengers should not attempt to remove dead or injured deer from busy roads. Instead, they should contact local law enforcement for help, officials said. Illinois law requires drivers to report to police any deer-related accident with more than $1,500 in damage.