Car Collisions With Deer Picking Up

Deer breeding season getting started across the Upper Cumberland, increasing the likelihood of a deer hitting your car.

Overton County Sheriff John Garrett said October is the time when cases of car collisions with deer start to increase. Garrett said along with breeding season, deer are moving due to various reasons including the start of bow season.

“We’ve got hunters in the woods that the deer have not had to deal with probably for I don’t know since January when hunting season was over last year,” Garrett said. “So to speak the bedroom is being disturbed and that’s kind of got them edgy and moving as well and not only that but to search for food.”

Tennessee Highway Patrol said deer collisions have caused $41 million of economic impact in Tennessee. Garrett said there is not much people can do to avoid hitting a deer other than slowing down.

“The best advice I have is just to slow down around those times,” Garrett said. “If you see a deer standing alongside the road slow down or if you see one cross the road way out in front of you slow down. More times than not there is going to be another one with it that may attempt to cross the road.”

Garrett said deer are more active around dusk and nighttime. Garrett said Overton County has their fair share of cars colliding with deer.

“They don’t just happen in the county, Garrett said. “Deer live inside the city limits as well. We have a lot, I can’t give you an exact number but we have a lot each and every year.”

Garrett said avoiding deer can be dangerous. Garrett said in some cases they have responded to a wreck where one of the drivers was attempting to miss a deer. Be careful on the roads this fall and don’t let a deer put your vehicle in a rut.