AAA says be on alert as deer collisions on Massachusetts roads is on the rise

NEWTON, Mass. — The variety of deer strikes on Massachusetts roads is up.

“You do see them. They’re on the market. I discover them,” stated Stephen Manchester of Raynham.

Stephen Manchester sees deer as he drives to and from work and he says one this morning had an unlucky run -with a automotive.

“Alongside 128 North within the breakdown lane a useless deer,” stated Manchester.

AAA Northeast tracks the variety of deer strikes yearly from October to December.

Their information exhibits the deer crashes are the best on report.

“Final yr in 2022 there have been extra collisions between individuals and deer on Massachusetts roadways than another yr,” stated Mark Schieldrop, AAA Spokesperson.

Bristol County leads the way in which within the variety of deer collisions. Right here’s a have a look at the Massachusetts counties with probably the most:

• Bristol: 282
• Middlesex: 277
• Worcester: 261
• Plymouth: 230
• Essex: 139

Schieldrop says the reason being rutting or mating season so deer are extra aggressive, particularly throughout the peak afternoon commute time.

“Most of these crashes are occurring in these prime commute hours between 5:00 p.m. and seven:00 p.m. (particularly) after the time change which we simply went by means of,” stated Schieldrop.

Manchester says he hit a deer on a snowy evening lately. “A deer got here out over the snowbank into the snowy highway,” he stated.

Manchester missed that one however not the subsequent one.

“I appeared again round and simply barreled into the second they usually at all times say maintain a watch out for the second,” he stated.

AAA says that’s good recommendation as a result of deer usually journey in teams. When you see one, extra are probably shut behind. So, keep alert! AAA gives these security tricks to drivers:

• Scan the shoulders of the highway
• Comply with the pace restrict so you’ve got time to react
• Watch out on curves and climbing hills the place visibility is restricted
• Use your excessive beams when doable
• When you can’t keep away from the deer hit the brakes and check out to not swerve since you might hit different vehicles or drive off the highway and find yourself in a extra severe collision.

This can be a growing story. Test again for updates as extra data turns into out there.

Obtain the FREE Boston 25 Information app for breaking information alerts.

Comply with Boston 25 Information on Fb and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 Information NOW

©2022 Cox Media Group