Kentucky Deer Collisions Reach Seven-Year High
New state crash data shows Kentucky drivers experienced a seven-year high of 3,411 deer collisions in 2025. That figure marks an upward trajectory that has climbed steadily each year since 2020, resulting in an overall 18.2% increase in animal-vehicle crashes over a five-year period.
State officials are urging motorists to remain vigilant as peak autumn movement gets underway. While the raw volume of collisions has risen, the data revealed a positive shift in crash severity. Zero fatalities were reported in 2025, down from six fatalities in 2024, though 30 people sustained serious injuries in these incidents.
Fall Mating Season Drives Deer Across Roadways
Fall brings a convergence of biological pressures that push white-tailed deer across roadways. According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, October through December marks the seasonal mating period, during which male deer roam widely to locate females. At the same time, shifting food sources, harvested crops, and disappearing foliage force deer to travel further in search of sustenance and shelter.
Nearly half of all deer collisions in 2025 occurred during those final three months of the year. November recorded the highest frequency with 823 crashes, followed by October with 394 and December with 330, accounting for nearly 46% of the annual total. Evening commuting hours carry the highest risk, with crash totals peaking between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., driven by low-light conditions at dusk.
Geographically, western Kentucky counties continue to experience heavy numbers of collisions. Hopkins County led the state with 134 reported deer crashes in 2025, followed by Hardin County with 118, Muhlenberg County with 95, Nelson County with 95, and Boone County with 94.
Insurance Data Reveals Millions of National Collisions
The local increase mirrors a broader national pattern captured in insurance data. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. reported more than 1.6 million animal collision claims nationwide for the year ending June 30, 2025, with deer remaining the most frequently struck animal.
To mitigate risks along state routes, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet points motorists to detailed county-by-county figures available via the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crash data portal. State engineers utilize these annual figures to determine the placement of wildlife-warning signage and safety infrastructure.
State Highway Engineer James Ballinger emphasizes basic preventive habits for motorists driving rural and suburban corridors. With deer active this time of year, especially at dawn and dusk, motorists should stay focused, slow down in areas where deer are present and always wear a seat belt,
Ballinger stated.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises drivers to maintain steady control by staying alert in forested terrain, using high-beam headlights when no oncoming traffic is present, and taking a foot off the accelerator immediately if an animal appears. Drivers are instructed not to swerve, as sudden maneuvers often lead to more severe collisions with oncoming vehicles or fixed roadside objects. All deer-vehicle crashes should be reported to local law enforcement.
