Don DeBold / CC
As fall begins, deer activity has increased across the state, posing potential risks for Wisconsin drivers.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is urging motorists to exhibit caution on the roads as deer-related crashes peak during October and November.
Last year, there were 17,000 crashes involving deer in Wisconsin, and more than one-third of those crashes took place during these peak months.
Locally, this seems to be an even larger problem as in 2024, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Manitowoc, and Winnebago Counties all ranked in the top 10 for the number of deer crashes.
With that in mind, it is important to drive at safe speeds, eliminate distractions, and ensure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.
Deer can behave erratically, making sudden movements or freezing suddenly, so it is important to scan the road.
If you do see a deer, expect others, and use your horn to encourage them not to leave the roadway.
Deer-related crashes are also most likely to occur in the early morning and evening hours, so it is imperative to use your headlights and high beams when possible.
More statistics about deer-related crashes in our area and across the state last year, and ways to stay safe on the roadways, can be found by visiting wisconsindot.gov.
