Deer are becoming more active across Missouri, prompting transportation officials to remind drivers to stay alert as the state enters the peak season for deer-related crashes.

More than 2,800 crashes involving deer were reported in Missouri last year, resulting in six deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Missouri Department of Transportation Management Systems Director Michael Middleton said the problem puts Missouri among the states with a significant number of deer-vehicle crashes.

“Six last year, and Missouri as a state, when we kind of compare against other state DOTs, we’re about 15th in the nation on these deer-vehicle collisions,” Middleton said.

October and November are typically the busiest months for deer movement. Middleton said drivers should pay particular attention around sunrise and sunset.

“Particularly anywhere from 6 to 7 a.m. in the morning, our morning commute, again, with that sun kind of coming up, and then also that evening time,” Middleton said. “So those just really make a lot of potentiality, you know, when we see those animal movements.”

While deer create the greatest concern because of their size, Middleton said Missouri motorists can encounter plenty of other wildlife.

“I tell you what, you drive around and this can be quite the array of wild animals, armadillos to raccoons to possums, but it tends to mainly be these deer, these larger animals that really start creating these bigger issues and particularly for drivers,” Middleton said.

MoDOT recommends slowing down, avoiding distractions and watching for additional deer if one crosses the road. Drivers are also advised not to swerve to avoid an animal because losing control can result in a more serious crash.

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