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In Adair County, the average number of deer/auto collisions has been 25 each year over the past five years. According to a Kentucky State Police map, Adair County is in the mid range of deer/auto collisions per year. Highest is Boone at 134, while the county with the lowest number of deer/auto collisions is tiny Robertson County, with 2.


The incidence of deer/auto collision seems to be as much determined by density of population and the traffic counts as much as much as the deer population.

From state police figures, here's how the average rate of deer/auto collisions stack up in Adair and surrounding counties:

1. Taylor, 173 five year total, average annual 35
2. Adair, 127 five year total, average annual 25
3. Metcalfe, 89 five year total, average annual 18
4. Russell, 87 five year total, average annual 17
5. Green, 29 five year total, average annual 6
6. Casey, 23 five year total, average annual 5
7. Cumberland, 18 five year total, average annual 4

-CM. Source, KSP chart

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• Be extra cautious in the early morning and evening hours. Deer are most active during these low-light periods when humans see worst and reaction time is slow.
• If you see one deer, look for more. They often travel in herds.
• Drive at a moderate speed, especially on roads bordering woodlands, parklands, golf courses and streams. However, remember that many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities.
• Use high beam headlights if there is no oncoming traffic. High beams will reflect in the eyes of deer on or near the roadway, providing increased driver reaction time.
• Upon seeing a deer, immediately slow down. Do not swerve. This could confuse the deer about where to run. It could also cause you to lose control of your vehicle. It is generally safer to hit the deer than leave your lane, risking injury to passengers and other motorists.
• Deer are often unpredictable, especially when faced with blinding headlights, loud horns and fast-moving vehicles. Don't expect them to stay where they are. They can dart in front of you at the last moment, stop in the middle of the road, cross quickly and return to the road or even move toward an approaching vehicle.
• Deer whistles on cars provide little help and blowing the car horn doesn't always solve the problem. Blowing the horn may cause them to move, but not necessarily in the direction you want.
• If the deer stays on the road, stop, put on your hazard lights and wait for it to leave the roadway. Do not try to go around the deer while it is on the road.
• Always wear your safety belt. Historically, most people injured or killed in deer/auto collisions were not properly restrained.