SouthCoast Dominates Top 10 Massachusetts Towns for Deer Crashes

The number of Massachusetts car accidents involving deer is soaring, and a startling majority of those crashes is taking place right here on the SouthCoast.

A spokesperson for AAA Southern New England says that last year saw the biggest jump in deer crashes in 20 years. "Last year, deer crashes between the months of October and December jumped to 1,806 – the highest number on record since at least 2002, according to a AAA Northeast analysis. That’s equivalent to one deer crash every 74 minutes."

Incredibly, the SouthCoast seems to be the epicenter for these deer crashes. The SouthCoast nearly has a complete sweep of the most dangerous locations for deer strikes.

November is in the middle of deer mating season, and that means the animals are on the move. As we outlined in an article last November, the SouthCoast can be one of the most dangerous parts of the country when it comes to deer causing motor vehicle accidents. However, a new Massachusetts county now leads the league. Bristol County led Massachusetts in data from last year, while the latest figures have Plymouth County edging out Bristol 312 to 302.

Three Tips From AAA

Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you; deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road.
If you spy one deer, look out for others; deer rarely travel alone.
If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and try to remain in your lane and avoid other vehicles; swerving sharply can cause an even more serious crash.