On Oct. 30, 2026, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) warned motorists that deer activity is increasing and that the risk of vehicle collisions with deer rises as fall sets in.
MDOT Executive Director Brad White said, “Collisions with deer can be life threatening and make for costly repairs on a vehicle.” The agency said deer are most prevalent between October and January but can cross roadways year-round.
MDOT cited a State Farm study covering two decades that ranks Mississippi seventh nationwide for the potential risk of vehicle collisions with animals, equating to a 1-in-81 likelihood of a motorist striking an animal. State Farm reported 1.6 million claims of vehicle-vs.-animal damage from July 2025 through June 30, 2026.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 210 deaths nationally in 2024 from vehicle collisions with animals. MDOT said it received reports of more than 4,000 instances of vehicles colliding with deer in 2025, a 6% increase from 2024.
Over the last decade, MDOT identified counties with the highest prevalence of vehicle collisions involving deer as Madison County (2,437 collisions) and DeSoto County (2,341 collisions).
MDOT said deer are usually most active in the early morning and evening: about 20% of deer-related crashes occur in the morning and more than 50% occur between 5 p.m. and midnight. Because deer often travel in groups, the agency cautioned that one deer on the roadside often indicates others nearby.
MDOT offered specific driving guidance: scan roadway edges for deer, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, ensure headlights are functional, aligned and clean, brake firmly and keep the steering wheel straight if a deer crosses your path, and avoid swerving. The agency also urged drivers to avoid distractions and always wear a seat belt.
MDOT attributed the data and safety recommendations to its own reporting and the named studies and agencies cited above.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
