Ohio motorists are being urged to keep a closer watch for deer as the state enters the months when the animals are most active — and collisions with them are becoming considerably more expensive. AAA Club Alliance says deer activity increases during the fall mating season from October through December, putting more animals on and near Ohio roadways. Chelsea Sick, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance in Ohio, said drivers need to be particularly cautious around dawn and dusk. “Right now is fall mating season for deer,” Sick said. “We’re going to see more of those animals out on our roadways, crossing roads unexpectedly.” Sick said deer are particularly active between 5 and 8 a.m. and again between 5 and 8 p.m., times that coincide with morning and evening travel for many motorists. AAA recommends drivers reduce their speed and continually scan both sides of the road, particularly near wooded areas, ponds, streams, golf courses and locations marked by deer-crossing signs. Drivers should also remember that seeing one deer may mean more are nearby. “Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one crossing or standing near the road, others may be close behind,” Sick said. When there is no approaching traffic, high beams can give motorists additional time to spot an animal. Sick said the additional illumination can also reflect from a deer's eyes, making it easier to see. AAA advises motorists not to swerve if a deer suddenly enters their path. Leaving the lane can result in a more serious collision with another vehicle or roadside object. Beyond the safety risk, the financial consequences of hitting a deer have risen sharply. AAA data shows the average animal-strike insurance claim among its Ohio policyholders reached $7,424 in 2025 — approximately 45% higher than in 2020. Sick said much of that increase can be traced to technology now built into vehicles. Cameras, radar and driver-assistance equipment are increasingly located in areas frequently damaged in deer collisions, including bumpers, grilles, mirrors and windshields. “A lot of that technology is in the front of our cars,” Sick said. “Those are the areas most impacted by an animal strike, and so that's what's driving these costs up here in Ohio.” While most animal collisions result primarily in property damage, some have deadly consequences. According to figures cited by AAA from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2,000 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving animals from 2015 through 2024, an average of 196 deaths annually. Seventy-three people were killed in animal-related crashes in Ohio during that period. If a collision with a deer does occur, AAA recommends motorists move their vehicle to a safe location when possible, turn on their hazard lights and contact law enforcement. Drivers should not approach an injured animal because it may behave unpredictably. Sick said motorists should also understand their auto insurance coverage. Damage caused by striking an animal is generally handled through comprehensive coverage rather than collision coverage. For the next several months, however, prevention begins with recognizing when and where motorists are most likely to encounter deer. “It's not just property damage that could really cost you. It could even cost a life,” Sick said. “Slowing your speed during those peak times, really keeping your eye on both sides of the roadways, is a really important step to keep your family safe.”

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