Uniontown, PA – As autumn settles into southwestern Pennsylvania and deer become more active, PennDOT District 12 is reminding drivers to stay alert and use extra caution to avoid deer-related crashes.
Fall is the time of year when deer activity increases, particularly as breeding season approaches. The increased movement coincides with shorter days, meaning more drivers are traveling during the hours when deer are most active.
Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of crashes involving deer. According to PennDOT data, there were 6,310 deer-related crashes statewide in 2025, resulting in 90 serious injuries and 11 fatalities.
“We can’t control when or where a deer will cross the road, but we can control how we drive,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Emily Stambaugh. “Slowing down, staying alert, and knowing what to do when you see a deer can play a big role in keeping you safe.”
Drivers can reduce the possibility of being involved in a crash with a deer by following these safety tips:
· Slow down, increase following distance between vehicles, and use caution, particularly where deer crossing signs are posted.
· Make young drivers aware of increased deer movement.
· Be especially watchful during morning and evening hours when deer are most active.
· Exercise caution when one deer crosses a roadway. Since deer often travel in small herds, one deer will usually be followed by others.
· Always wear your seat belt.
· Never drive impaired.
· Turn your headlights on if your wipers are on — it's the law.
Dead deer creating a safety hazard on a state-maintained roadway can be reported to PennDOT by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or through the PennDOT Customer Care Center.
For more information on fall driving safety, visit www.pa.gov/dotsafety.
Travelers can check conditions on major roads by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict12.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Stambaugh, emstambaug@pa.gov or 724-425-3018
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