Drivers should be especially alert for deer this time of year, AAA Northeast and wildlife officials report.

From now through the end of December, deer are more likely to cross roads in Middlesex County and throughout the state

That increases the chances that vehicles will collide with the racing deer.

Fall is by far the worst season for deer collisions, the organizations report.

Nearly  half of all 2024 deer crashes in Massachusetts _ 44 percent _ were reported in October through December.

In Massachusetts, there were 1,569 deer crashes from October to December 2024, equivalent to once every 84 minutes, according to the MassDOT Impact Crash Data Portal.

These crashes were most common near sunset, with 79% of crashes taking place outside daylight hours.

Middlesex County, where Natick is located, reported the second most crashes with 231. Only nearby Worcester County had more with 270.

Bristol/Plymouth counties logged 229 crashes and Essex County reported 124.

Drivers can be especially vulnerable to deer strikes this time of year because deer rutting season happens during those months, when instinct drives deer to look for mates.

The fervor of reproducing often leads to erratic behavior, with the animals more likely to run into traffic, especially during dusk. Drivers should be especially alert during the evening rush and during overnight hours.

“Striking a deer can be extremely dangerous, with the animal possibly going through the windshield, seriously injuring or killing the driver and passengers,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast.

But abrupt evasive maneuvers can be even worse, he said. Drivers should never swerve to avoid a deer, especially on country roads. 

Going to the right could send the vehicle into a stationary roadside object, such as a tree or light pole. Swerving to the left could result in a lethal head-on crash with oncoming traffic.

Even slamming too hard on the brakes could send the front end of the vehicle into a nosedive, rolling the animal up the hood and through the windshield.

The consequences of deer crashes can be severe. In 2023, 218 people were killed and more than 40,000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving live animals, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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 wooded areas adjacent to the road.

Obey the speed limit. Lower speeds will give a driver more time to react to unexpected animal movement.

Sound the horn with one long blast if you notice animals early enough. The sound may frighten them away.

Apply the brakes if a collision is unavoidable to lessen the energy of the crash.

Contact your insurance company to report any damage to your car, which generally falls under comprehensive coverage. Take photos of the damage if you can do so safely and without entering the roadway. 

Mass Wildlife urges drivers to also be aware of deer crossing signs and to reduce distractions to provide more time to react if needed.

Vehicle collisions with deer should be reported to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.