Watch for wildlife movement on roadways

JEFFERSON CITY - Cooler, longer nights mean deer and other wild animals are on the move. Most deer strikes with vehicles occur during October and November between the hours of 6-7 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. The Missouri Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to be prepared and never drive distracted.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in 2025, Missouri drivers experienced more than 2,800 crashes involving deer, with six deaths and 435 injuries reported. Missouri ranked 15th in the country in deer-vehicle collisions last year according to the State Farm annual report.

Rural areas are not the only places where vehicle strikes occur. MoDOT offers the following safety tips for avoiding collisions with deer and other wild animals:

• Always wear your seat belt. It's easy: Buckle Up Phone Down.
• Control your speed, stay alert and avoid distractions.
• Don't swerve to avoid hitting an animal. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic.
• Deer rarely travel alone. Slow down and keep an eye out for more deer. If a deer crosses the road in front of you, there is a good chance another deer will be following it.
• Don't follow too closely. Remember: the driver in front of you might have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a deer.

MoDOT maintenance crews work to address any animal debris in the driving lanes. Individuals can report an animal carcass in the roadway to MoDOT by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or by visiting modot.org/report-road-concern.

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For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.

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