Kentucky reported a seven-year high of 3,411 deer collisions in 2025, prompting the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to remind drivers to stay alert, slow down and buckle up.
Deer movement typically increases during the fall months as mating season begins and food sources shift, leading herds to travel greater distances during October, November and December and resulting in more roadway encounters, according to a KYTC press release.
Deer crashes have risen each year since 2020, reflecting an 18.2% increase over the past five years, Kentucky State Police data shows.
Though crash numbers are on the rise, fatalities related to deer collisions have dropped, with zero fatalities recorded in 2025 compared with six in 2024. Serious injuries from deer-related crashes totaled 30 in 2025.
Nearly half of all deer collisions occurred during the final three months of the year, with the highest monthly total of 823 collisions reported in November. October recorded 394 deer collisions, while December had 330.
KYTC urges drivers to travel with caution, especially during deer’s most active hours around sunrise and sunset. Collisions are most common during evening commuting hours and periods of low light. The highest crash totals occurred between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with 304 crashes reported at 6 p.m., 242 at 7 p.m. and 281 at 8 p.m.
Across counties in Kentucky, Hopkins County reported the highest number of deer collisions in 2025 with 134, followed by Hardin County with 118, Muhlenberg and Nelson Counties with 95 each and Boone County with 94.
According to the press release, Kentucky is one of 17 states to receive a federal grant in 2024 to make roadways safer for drivers and wildlife.
The state used the $1.2 million grant to fund a wildlife-vehicle collision reduction plan and a pilot study in central Kentucky. Vehicle collisions were examined along the U.S. 60/Interstate 64 corridor in Jefferson, Shelby and Franklin counties, an area where white-tailed deer are involved in a high number of collisions.
Analysts collected data to better understand deer habitat and behavior patterns using drones, GPS collars, trail cameras and field surveys. The data is being assessed to identify infrastructure solutions that could reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Source: KYTC
