Ridgewood Police Urge Drivers To Watch For Deer As Crashes Climb

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The local police department has seen an uptick in motor vehicle accidents caused by deer in the road, joining a number of towns recognizing the problem.

"This is an especially active time for deer in our area, which causes the animals to wander into roadways throughout the day. Please be vigilant when driving on roadways for animals that may come in, or close to, the roadway especially in areas near streams or wooded areas," the department said.

Recently, a man died after he struck a deer while riding his motorcycle on Route 4 in Teaneck. Read more: Motorcyclist Identified In Fatal Teaneck Crash

According to AAA, deer crashes peak in autumn, with daylight savings ending and mating season beginning. The mating season puts deer on the move at dawn and dusk — just like many commuters driving between work and home, setting up a recipe for potentially serious crashes.

"Drivers need to be especially vigilant and anticipate deer darting into the roadway, especially during the early morning and evening hours," said Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of media relations at AAA.

Tom Langen, a professor of biology at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, wrote for The Conversation that collisions with deer are about eight times more frequent at dusk or dawn — when the deer are most active and motorists' ability to spot them is poorest — than during daylight hours. In fact, only about a fifth of deer-vehicle collisions occur during daylight hours.

AAA said drivers should do the following:

• Slow down. Reduce speed in low-light conditions, which will give you more time to respond to unexpected wildlife movements.
• Scan off-road areas. Deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road.
• Be patient. Where there is one, there may be many, so don't speed off if a deer crosses your path, as there may be more nearby.
• Be prepared. If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane; swerving sharply to avoid an animal can cause an even more serious crash.

With reporting from Josh Bakan.