October and November peak collision season
It’s deer versus car season, and state officials and travel experts are warning Tennessee drivers that collisions with the animals rise in the fall.
In 2024, AAA says Tennessee had more than 8,000 vehicle-deer collisions, causing five deaths and 460 injuries. As deer activity increases during the fall breeding season, the travel organization is reminding drivers that October, November and December are among the most dangerous months for deer-related crashes.
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“Tennessee drivers are entering the most dangerous time of year for deer collisions,” Megan Cooper, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in a statement. “Drivers often have only seconds to react when a deer enters the roadway. Slowing down, scanning the roadside and staying focused behind the wheel can help reduce the risk of a serious crash.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol warns that nearly half of deer collisions, 49%, happen between October and December, according to a Nov. 10 statement on the season’s largest, most-often struck wildlife.