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

By John Monahan, Boston 25 News
By John Monahan, Boston 25 News

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

“You do see them. They’re out there. I notice them,” said Stephen Manchester of Raynham.

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

“Along 128 North in the breakdown lane a dead deer,” said Manchester.

AAA Northeast tracks the number of deer strikes annually from October to December.

Their data shows the deer crashes are the highest on record.

“Last year in 2022 there were more collisions between people and deer on Massachusetts roadways than any other year,” said Mark Schieldrop, AAA Spokesperson.

Bristol County leads the way in the number of deer collisions. Here’s a look at the Massachusetts counties with the most:

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

Schieldrop says the reason is rutting or mating season so deer are more aggressive, especially during the peak afternoon commute time.

“Most of those crashes are happening in those prime commute hours between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (especially) after the time change which we just went through,” said Schieldrop.

Manchester says he hit a deer on a snowy night recently. “A deer came out over the snowbank into the snowy road,” he said.

Manchester missed that one but not the next one.

“I looked back around and just barreled into the second one and they always say keep an eye out for the second one,” he said.

AAA says that’s good advice because deer normally travel in groups. If you see one, more are likely close behind. So, stay alert! AAA offers these safety tips to drivers:

  • Scan the shoulders of the road
  • Follow the speed limit so you have time to react
  • Be careful on curves and climbing hills where visibility is limited
  • Use your high beams when possible
  • If you can’t avoid the deer hit the brakes and try not to swerve because you could hit other cars or drive off the road and end up in a more serious collision.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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