This IL County Has The Most Crashes Involving Deer By Far

COOK COUNTY, IL — Cook County had more crashes involving deer than any other county in the state by far in 2023, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The agency is warning the public to be alert as the state enters deer mating season.

“Be extra vigilant on Illinois highways this time of year, especially at dawn and dusk, when deer are particularly active for the fall mating season,” Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said in a recent news release.

There were 14,862 crashes involving deer last year in Illinois. Of those, 14,192 resulted in property damage, 663 caused injuries and seven were fatal, according to the state transportation department.

The following counties had the most deer-involved crashes in 2023:

1. Cook: 598
2. Madison: 396
3. Kane: 384
4. Will: 381
5. McHenry: 344
6. Lake: 341
7. La Salle: 340
8. Sangamon: 338
9. Fulton: 300
10. Peoria: 286

Although a collision with a deer can happen at any time, 41 percent of crashes involving deer in Illinois occurred in October, November and December in 2023, with November being the highest-risk month, according to the transportation department.

Rural areas were the site of 69 percent of crashes involving deer, with 72 percent occurring at twilight or nighttime, the agency said.

The transportation department recommends the following safe driving tips for the deer-mating season:

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with deer crossing signs.
• Scan the sides of the road for eye shine — the reflection of headlights in their eyes.
• Slow down if you see a deer and anticipate that others could be following.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road and not move for oncoming vehicles.
• If a collision is inevitable, don’t veer. Try to glance your vehicle off the deer and avoid swerving into the opposite lanes of traffic or off the road.
• Deer can often appear suddenly in surprising environments, so be on alert and slow down in areas where they are known to travel.

If you hit a deer, the transportation department instructs drivers to pull off to the shoulder, turn on hazard lights and call 911, but not to exit the vehicle to check on the deer or pull it from the road.