Photo: MassWildLife
DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Police in Dedham are warning about deer collisions during mating season.
In a social media post, police reminded drivers to stay alert behind the wheel, especially at dusk and dawn when deer strikes most often occur.
According to data from the MassDot Impact Crash Data Portal, there were over 1,500 deer crashes between Oct. to Dec. 2024 in Massachusetts. With fall being one of the worst times for deer collisions, mating season tends to drive behaviors that make the animals more susceptible to running into traffic.
"That's when it's more dangerous out there, " one resident said.
Read More: Brian Walshe, Accused Of Murdering Wife, Pleads Guilty To 2 Lesser Charges
Officials also warned drivers that if you happen to cross a deer in the roadway, there's an excellent chance another one is close behind. People are encouraged to avoid swerving or braking too hard, as it could lead to more damage than actually hitting the deer, something this resident knows all too well.
"They've got attracted to the headlights," another Bay Stater said. "Kind of had some substantial damage to grow the undercarriage, one set of headlights, but not as much as it did to the deer."
AAA issued the following tips to mitigate deer crashes:
- Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you. Deer may dash out from wooded areas adjacent to the road.
- Obey the speed limit.
- Sound the horn with one long blast if you notice animals early enough.
- Apply the brakes if a collision is unavoidable to lessen the energy of the crash.
- Contact your insurance company to report any damage to your car. Take photos of the damage if you can do so safely and without entering the roadway.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.