Peak deer season is upon us.
Vehicle-deer crashes can happen at any time of year, and there have been increasingly more “out-of-season” wrecks over time, but the time period between Oct. 1 and New Year’s Eve typically sees more crashes than any other time of year — and November is usually the worst due to mating season, when deer are more active and less attentive to their surroundings. The return of standard time doesn’t help because evening commutes from work happen at dusk, one of the peak activity times for deer.
The latest data through the Kansas Department of Transportation is from 2023, indicating more than 650 people were hurt and seven people were killed in deer-related crashes that year.
Besides increasing awareness at dawn and dusk, drivers are told to expect several deer when one is visible. Drivers should also reduce speeds near wooded areas, fields, creeks and ponds. Never swerve to avoid deer because of the potential for losing control of the vehicle.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch will join KVOE’s Morning Show at 8:20 am Thursday with more information.
