More deer-related crashes as daylight-saving time ends
November is the month with the most deer-related crashes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The time change this weekend could affect more than just your sleep. Your safety could be at risk too.
November lands in the middle of deer mating season, leading to more deer-related crashes. The mating season lasts from October through December in Tennessee.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, thousands of deer-related crashes happen each year in the state. Statistics show that November is the month with the highest amount of these crashes reported.
Deer are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk. These are both busy travel times. It’s dark during these hours, making it harder to see and increasing the chance deer could come across your travel path.
There are some do’s and don’ts to driving this time of year when the chances of hitting a deer are at their highest. The biggest takeaway is to not swerve to avoid contact with a deer. This can lead to a serious crash.
If you collide with a deer, move your car as far as possible out of the road and dial Tennessee Highway Patrol at *THP (*847). A law enforcement officer will be dispatched to your location.
Make sure to file a report with the officer to provide the incident report to your insurance company for repairs.
Tennessee law allows deer killed in a collision to be taken and used as food, as long as you contact the nearest Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) regional office and report the accident within 48 hours
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