Deer mating season brings increased risk of crashes across the tri-state area

And we also have a safety concern this morning. Deer mating season is officially underway and it's set to reach its peak very soon. And with that comes more crashes involving those animals. News 12's Katerina Balalis has some information on how to avoid this danger. Kat? Yeah, that's right, guys. As the number of deer in the wild increases, so does your chance, unfortunately, of potentially hitting one on the road while you're driving. So that is a warning and a reminder from AAA. Now, to put all of this into perspective right here, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says there were more than 1.5 million crashes involving live animals nationwide between 2020 and 2024. In New York, more than 32.5 thousand crashes happened in 2024, while UConn's crash data repository says there were a record more than 1,000 deer crashes in Connecticut last year. AAA says drivers are at higher risk during their morning and afternoon commutes, with nearly half of all deer crashes happening between 6 and 10 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. So, to keep yourself safe, AAA says you should always scan the shoulders of the road in front of you while you're driving. Deer may dash out from wooded areas adjacent to the road, and we all know they can be very quick. Also, make sure you obey the speed limit, as any lower speed can give you more time to react to unexpected animals. And if you do see a deer directly on the road, do not swerve to avoid it like many people try to do. It's actually more dangerous to hit a pole, tree, or another vehicle than it is to hit a deer. And if, unfortunately, you do end up hitting a deer, make sure you contact your insurance company and send them all the proof of damage necessary. We're in Port Chester, Westchester County, Katerina Balalis, News 12.