The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding drivers that autumn is the season for deer to be on the move, sometimes crossing onto area roadways.
“October and November are prime months for deer to be active along our roadways and motorists need to take appropriate precautions to help avoid deer-related crashes,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty, P.E.
According to PennDOT data, in 2021, there were 5,728 deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 1,255 injuries and 13 fatalities. In the six counties included in PennDOT’s northwest region, there were 479 crashes and 103 total injuries last year, both increases from 2020.
Deer often travel in small herds and are most active between sunset and sunrise as they look for food. Drivers should be extra cautious during morning and evening commute times.
PennDOT recommends the following safety tips to help drivers avoid a deer-related crash:
- Slow down and be alert, especially where deer crossing signs are posted.
- Increase the following distance between vehicles.
- Make new drivers aware of increased deer movement.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Never drive impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Turn your headlights on whenever using your wipers.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.penndot.gov/District1.
Below are statistics for deer-related crashes, total injuries, and total fatalities for Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties over the last five years.
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total | ||
| Crawford | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 114 18 0 | 126 26 2 | 136 28 0 | 117 26 0 | 120 30 0 | 316 128 2 |
| Erie | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 114 33 1 | 108 17 1 | 127 43 0 | 120 23 0 | 133 20 0 | 602 136 2 |
| Forest | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 8 3 0 | 11 3 0 | 11 3 0 | 17 3 0 | 18 10 0 | 65 22 0 |
| Mercer | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 109 25 0 | 113 25 0 | 116 26 0 | 106 25 0 | 92 23 0 | 536 124 0 |
| Venango | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 71 12 0 | 73 18 0 | 54 14 0 | 72 12 0 | 72 10 0 | 342 66 0 |
| Warren | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 59 11 0 | 38 13 1 | 43 14 2 | 41 12 0 | 44 10 0 | 225 60 3 |
| District Wide | Crashes Total Injuries Total Fatalities | 475 102 1 | 469 102 4 | 487 128 2 | 473 101 0 | 479 103 0 | 2,383 536 7 |
