SEMCOG releases statistics on 2014 vehicle-deer crashes in Southeast Michigan
(SEMCOG Press Release, Sept. 21, 2015)
There were 5,557 vehicle-deer crashes in Southeast Michigan in 2014, according to figures released by SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, based on crash data received from the Michigan Department of State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center.
“For many in our region, hunting season is an exciting time of year,” said Kathleen Lomako, Executive Director of SEMCOG. “These statistics are a great reminder for each driver to be as alert behind the wheel as a hunter is in a tree stand.”
The top 10 Southeast Michigan communities for vehicle-deer over the past five years are shown here:

Southeast Michigan counties have experienced vehicle-deer crashes in the same period as shown here:

The 2014 total of 5,557 is slightly lower than the five-year average of vehicle-deer crashes (5,587) from 2010-2014. In 2014, vehicle-deer crashes accounted for four percent of all crashes that occurred in Southeast Michigan; 96 percent of crashes involving deer were single-vehicle crashes. Fortunately, there were zero fatalities involving deer in Southeast Michigan in 2014.
SEMCOG is a member of the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition (MDCC), which works to decrease vehicle-deer crashes. This year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources estimates the deer herd to be 1.75 million.
The coalition notes that deer crashes occur most frequently during the months of October, November, and December, with 42 percent of all 2014 deer-vehicle crashes occurring in the fall. Most occur on two-lane roads between dusk (6-10 p.m.) and dawn (5-8 a.m.).
SEMCOG’s goal is to create and maintain a transportation system that safely moves people and goods throughout the region. With that in mind, SEMCOG recommends these safe driving tips when encountering deer:
~Buckle up, stay alert, and slow down. Safety belts are the best defense in any collision.
~Be alert for deer in the fall, especially at dawn and dusk, and heed deer crossing and speed limit signs, particularly on two-lane roads.
~Do not swerve out of a lane to avoid a deer (AKA “Don’t veer for deer”). Instead, brake firmly while securely gripping the steering wheel to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Then safely seer the vehicle off to the side of the road.
~It’s generally safer to hit the deer than run off the road or risk injuring another motorist.
More information regarding vehicle-deer crashes is also available on SEMCOG’s Traffic Crash Data page and Vehicle-Deer Safety page.
SEMCOG is the only organization in Southeast Michigan that brings together all governments to solve regional challenges and enhance the quality of life for the seven-county region’s 4.7 million people.