Illinois drivers should stay alert for deer on the roads through December as the animals' peak mating season gets underway, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said.
The two agencies are reminding motorists that deer become more active in the fall, increasing the chances of a collision. “Deer are on the move throughout the state, increasing your chances of encountering one at any time,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Stay alert, even during routine trips and your daily commute. Following a few simple recommendations and rules can help you avoid a trip to the body shop – or worse.”
Safe-driving tips
IDOT's central message is to resist the instinct to swerve. If deer appear, officials say the safest choice is to stay in your lane, brake firmly and avoid swerving to miss them. Additional tips the agency has highlighted include:
- Assume deer may be present anywhere — in rural, suburban and urban areas.
- Pay attention to deer crossing signs.
- Scan the sides of the road for eye shine, the reflection of headlights in a deer's eyes.
- Slow down if you see a deer, because others may be following.
- Prepare for the unexpected, as a deer may stop in the middle of the road.
- If a collision is unavoidable, do not veer. Try to glance your vehicle off the deer rather than swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road.
If you hit a deer, IDOT advises pulling onto the shoulder, turning on your hazard lights and calling 911 to report the crash.
Background
According to IDOT's online crash figures, there were 14,436 crashes involving deer in Illinois in 2024, of which 13,733 caused property or vehicle damage, 693 caused injuries and five were fatal. The agency says fall and early winter are the highest-risk period, with November historically the most dangerous month, and most crashes occurring at dawn, dusk or at night, according to IDOT and IDNR figures reported on the agencies' pages.
Source: the original release