(Lewis) Deer can be spotted near roadways year-round, but drivers should exercise extra caution during the fall months. From October through December, deer enter their mating season, known as “the rut.” During this time, deer become more active and are more likely to suddenly dart into the road, heightening the risk of a dangerous and costly collision.
John Lorenzen, from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office in Lewis, talked about the rut in the KSOM DNR Report on Saturday. Lorenzen says that before the rut, most deer activity is during the dark, and deer are most active at dawn and dusk. However, during the rut, bucks have one priority: they will run all day looking for does.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 1.5 million deer-related vehicle accidents occur in the United States each year. While most deer/motor vehicle crashes result in minor damage or injury, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that nearly 1,900 people were killed in crashes involving animals between 2013 and 2022.
Drivers should remain alert to reduce the risk of an accident, particularly at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.
