“Collisions with deer can be life threatening and make for costly repairs on a vehicle,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White.
Mississippi is ranked in the top ten nationwide for the potential risk of vehicle collisions with animals.
As the cooler months arrive in the state, deer are more active, increasing the risk of vehicle collisions.
According to a two-decade study by State Farm, Mississippi ranks seventh for that risk, equating to a 1 in 81 likelihood of a motorist striking an animal.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation says deer are most prevalent between October and January, but they are known to cross the path of vehicles year-round.
The State Farm study showed that from July 2025 to June 30 of this year, the insurance agency received 1.6 million claims of damage caused by a vehicle versus animal collision.
Collisions with larger animals such as deer can result in major injury or even death. In 2024, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 210 deaths occurred as a result of vehicle collisions with animals.
As fall sets in in Mississippi, MDOT is reminding motorists that deer activity is increasing.
In 2025, MDOT received reports of more than 4,000 instances of vehicles colliding with deer, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year.
“Deer are everywhere in Mississippi, which means we should always keep our guard up, especially during this time of year,” MDOT Executive Director Brad White said. “Collisions with deer can be life threatening and make for costly repairs on a vehicle.”
Counties with the highest prevalence of vehicle collisions involving deer over the last decade are Madison County with 2,437 collisions and Desoto County with 2,341 collisions.
Deer are usually more active during the early morning and evening hours, with about 20% of all deer-related crashes occurring in the morning, and more than 50% taking place between 5 p.m. and midnight. Since deer travel in herds, the presence of one deer on the side of the road typically indicates the presence of additional deer in the area.
MDOT suggests scanning the edges of the roadway for the presence of deer to determine a plan of action should one or more dart in the path of a vehicle.
Motorists can use the reflection of light from a deer’s eyes to detect them from a distance. It is suggested to use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, and ensure headlights are functional, correctly aligned and clean for the best visibility.
Should a deer cross the path of a vehicle, drivers should not panic and instead brake firmly and keep the steering wheel straight. Swerving to avoid a collision with an animal creates the potential of the driver losing control of the vehicle, potentially creating a more severe incident.
“Deer are unpredictable animals, especially when startled,” White added. “We encourage drivers to remain alert in morning and dusk hours when deer tend to be more active, especially near roadways. Motorists should also avoid distractions and always wear a seat belt.”
-- Article credit to Jeremy Pittari for the Magnolia Tribune --
