With the leaves falling and the deer on the move, Ohio drivers need to buckle up and brace themselves for November’s annual deer dash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol warns that this is prime time for deer-involved crashes, with close encounters between motorists and these four-legged road-hoppers hitting a high point in the fall months.
Since 2019, Ohio has seen an eye-popping 109,507 deer-involved crashes, with November alone accounting for nearly a quarter of them. While most deer encounters only leave drivers with a crumpled fender and a story to tell, the statistics show that these accidents can be serious – 44 of them since 2019 were fatal, resulting in 45 tragic losses.
“Practice safe driving habits and stay fully focused on the road,” says Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. Translation: watch out, because Bambi’s not looking both ways! If you do end up colliding with a deer, the Patrol advises moving your car to a safe spot, switching on your hazard lights, and giving them a call.
Where’s the most likely place to meet a deer face-to-face? Stark, Richland, Hancock, and Defiance counties take the lead, responsible for 10% of all deer-related crashes. And if you think you’re safe elsewhere, think again—only one Ohio county has managed to dodge the deer entirely since 2019.
In our area, Scioto County ranks 2nd only to Jackson County for deer wrecks.
Here’s the order given by OSP for our area. Jackson (952), Scioto (764), Pike (521), Adams (444), and Lawrence (406).
The Patrol has a few quick tips to keep you out of a deer’s path: scan the road ahead, turn on those high beams when safe, and keep an extra eye out at dawn and dusk. If you see a deer, remember: brake, don’t swerve. Swerving can land you in a worse spot than a dinged-up bumper.
If you run into trouble (literally), you can always call for help by dialing #677 for the nearest Ohio State Highway Patrol Post.
