COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – October and November bring a big spike in vehicle-deer collisions across Michigan, driven by shorter daylight hours, the peak of the autumn whitetail breeding season and the fall harvest.
According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, there were 58,324 deer-vehicle crashes statewide in 2024, resulting in 1,816 injuries and 14 fatalities.
This autumn rush typically accounts for nearly 44% of all annual deer-involved collisions, with November ranking as the single busiest month as the state’s estimated 2 million deer herd becomes highly active and unpredictable during dawn and dusk.
Locally the autumn surge is felt by law enforcement in Branch County, where motorists face a heightened risk navigating rural two-lane roads.
Annual data compiled by the Michigan State Police reveals that Branch County recorded 981 vehicle-deer crashes, placing it 24th out of Michigan’s 83 counties for total collisions.
It’s estimated that car vs deer collisions cause $130 million dollars in damage annually.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office regularly responds to intense multi-day spikes during this period, historically logging events such as a single autumn weekend where deputies handled 22 deer-related accidents over a three-day span last fall.
Michigan State Police say drivers should reduce their speeds during twilight hours, scan road shoulders for eyeshine, and firmly hold the steering wheel rather than swerving if an impact is imminent
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