Motorists Are Being Reminded to Stay Alert For Deer & Moose This Fall Season

Both the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are reminding motorists to use extra caution and to stay alert when driving this fall season as both deer and moose tend to become more active this time of year. According to the DMV, the risk of crashes on roadways in the state increases from this month through December.

“A chance encounter with a deer or moose is much more likely this time of year,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “There are steps you can take to decrease  your risk so you can get safely to your destination.”

The DMV says data provided by the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research show in 2024, over 32,000 crashes took place throughout the state that involved a deer with another 7,616 involving another animal. The data also showed the number of crashes spiked in October, November, and December. 

Deer and moose activity increases during the fall month as it is their breeding season. The DMV says deer and moose are more commonly encountered by drivers during times of reduced visibility and heavier traffic, dawn and dusk. Due to their dark brown to black coloring and their height, moose are particularly difficult to see at night. Their heads and much of their bodies are above vehicle headlights. 

In New York State, the deer population is estimated to be between 1.1 million and 1.3 million with roughly 700 moose, mainly in the Adirondack region. 

Tips motorists can use to avoid a collision with a deer or moose include: lowering your speed when approaching deer on the side of the road, or crossing the roadway, warn other drivers using your headlights, using caution when seeing one deer as they travel in groups, and if you encounter an animal in the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, tree, pole, or other objects.