Michigan motorists are once again being cautioned of a seasonal danger that spikes during these autumn months: deer-related vehicle accidents. With the deer mating season in full swing, and hunting activity increasing, the state experiences a substantial uptick in wildlife-vehicle collisions.

According to ClickOnDetroit, deer-involved fatalities in Michigan saw a significant increase, soaring by 73% from 2022 to 2023. The Michigan State Police report from November 2023 recorded over 11,000 deer-involved crashes during what appears to be the most perilous month to drive in terms of wildlife presence on the road. This statistic only slightly steps down in October, with more than 9,000 incidents reported.

Drawing on further details released by Michigan State Police, ClickOnDetroit highlights key windows of risk on a daily basis, pinpointing the times between 6 a.m. and 8:59 a.m., as well as 6 p.m. and 8:59 p.m., as peak hours for such collisions. Additionally, Tuesdays and Wednesdays were noted as the weekdays with the highest frequency of these accidents.

BridgeDetroit adds context, explaining the natural behavioral patterns of deer during this season are inherently more unpredictable and risk-laden. Chad Stewart, a deer, elk, and moose management specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, advised drivers to "be extra vigilant especially when driving while it's dark and to make sure that the headlights are on and as bright as they can be." He also warns us to be adequately prepared for the possibility of multiple deer crossing after spotting the first, a common phenomenon given their herding behavior.

For Michigan drivers, such encounters pose a deep risk—and not just to personal safety, but also to economic stability. AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland told WNEM that deer crashes last year resulted in "more than $130 million in damage." Genesee County was reported to be among the top three Michigan counties for such incidents, with more than 1,600 vehicle-deer crashes occurring there.