New York officials warn drivers as fall deer mating season begins

The New York State Department of Transportation has launched a new advertising campaign to warn motorists about an increase in deer collisions during the fall mating season. The New York Post reported that bucks are actively roaming highways across the state during their breeding period, creating serious hazards for drivers. [1]

State transport officials estimate that deer cause between 60,000 and 70,000 vehicle collisions in New York each year, according to the New York Post. The report noted that roughly 40% to 43% of these crashes occur during the fall months starting in October. [1]

The transport department used public warnings to remind drivers that deer move unpredictably onto roads, noting humorously that the animals do not check traffic or use crosswalks. The seasonal surge in animal activity poses an ongoing danger on highways throughout the state. [1]

Similar hazards occur internationally during the autumn months. As FTMQ News reported earlier, drivers in County Kerry, Ireland, were also urged to exercise caution during the annual deer rutting season, which runs from September to November and causes an increased risk of traffic accidents. [2]