COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – As we turn the calendar to October with it comes a heightened risk of car- deer crashes.
October and November, marks the peak for these collisions, as deer become more active during their mating and migration season. Factors such as an increased deer population in southern Michigan and a decline in hunting have contributed the spike in such accidents , with dawn and dusk hours being the most dangerous times for drivers.
In 2024, the Michigan Office for Highway Safety Planning reported 58,324 car- -deer crashes statewide, resulting in 1,816 injuries and 14 fatalities.
The time period accounts for nearly 44% of all car vs deer crashes recorded in any particular year, as we progress through the month of October deer will become even more active.
In a single weekend last fall Branch County had 22 such accidents in a three day span.
Experts urge drivers to slow down, be vigilant, and avoid swerving if a collision is unavoidable, as that action can often lead to a more severe accident.
In Branch County, the high number of deer-related incidents illustrates the statewide problem on a local scale, though many other counties had a higher number of incidents.
In 2024, Branch County recorded 981 vehicle-deer crashes, that number was an increase over 2023.
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