Connecticut Deer Crashes On The Rise: Town-By-Town Data

CONNECTICUT — Second only to getting stranded on Jeremy Swamp Road in Southbury, it's every Connecticut driver's worst nightmare: crashing into a deer.

According to AAA Northeast, deer crashes in Connecticut "are increasing by leaps and bounds."

There were 460 deer crashes in the Nutmeg State from October to December 2022, the equivalent of one deer crash every five hours, according to an AAA analysis of data from the UConn Crash Data Repository.

That’s the greatest number of crashes during that time period since 2018. Worse yet, the deer season seems to be starting earlier, with 131 deer collisions in October 2022, the most since 2014.

Hottest of the deer crash hot spots currently is Guilford, with 47 collisions reported in 2022. Groton was runner-up, with 33, and Avon third with 31 too-close encounters. All tabulated, 1,023 vehicles hit deer on Connecticut roads in 2022, up from 934 the year before.

It's not just about bent fenders, either. Deer are responsible for the deaths of about 440 of the estimated 458 Americans killed in physical confrontations with wildlife in an average year, according to Utah State University biologist Mike Conover.

“Deer crashes can occur quickly and in unexpected locations,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast. “Drivers need to be especially vigilant this time of year.”

That's because this time of year is rutting season, and the bucks don't have their heads screwed on straight. In their single-minded search for accommodating does, they will vault from cover, leap across roads, and into Escalades doing 75 on the Merritt Parkway.

Drivers should be especially vigilant during their afternoon commute, since crashes are most common near sunset, according to AAA. The most common hours for deer crashes are 6-8 p.m. before the time change and 5-7 p.m. after the time change.

AAA offers the following tips for avoiding or mitigating deer crashes:

• Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you; deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road.
• Follow the speed limit; keeping your speed down will give you more time to respond to unexpected wildlife movements.
• Be careful rounding curves and climbing hills where visibility is limited.
• One long blast on your horn may frighten animals away from your car if you notice them early enough.
• If you spy one deer, look out for others; deer rarely travel alone.
• Use your high beams along dark roadways if there is no oncoming traffic.
• If a collision is unavoidable, try to remain in your lane and avoid other vehicles; swerving sharply can cause an even more serious crash.
• Wear your seatbelt; your chances of being injured in a deer crash are significantly higher if you don’t have your seatbelt on.
• If a crash occurs, move the vehicle to a safe location if possible and report the incident to local or state police or DEEP Environmental Conservation Police at 860-424-3333.
• Contact your insurance company to report any damage to your car. Take photos of the damage if you can do so safely and without entering the roadway. Damage to the car from animal crashes generally falls under a driver’s comprehensive coverage.