According to AAA, there were 34,081 animal crashes in New York last year, 117 more than the prior year – with Suffolk County leading the state for the most deer-related crashes.

County data shows there were 1,368 crashes last year. The towns of Brookhaven, Southold and Southampton led Suffolk with 440, 208 and 186 respectively.

Brookhaven led Suffolk in injury crashes with 47. The Town of Babylon had an animal crash that killed a vehicle occupant.

According to officials, all Suffolk animal crashes resulted in property damage often costing thousands of dollars; 9% also involved vehicle occupant injuries. 

Meanwhile, Nassau County had 120 animal crashes, 19 with injuries last year.

The five boroughs of New York City were the bottom five counties in animal crashes.

AAA says mid-October to early December is deer mating or rutting season. During rutting, bucks become more active in daylight and prone to moving to open areas, like roads.

“Drivers should never swerve to avoid any animal, especially on country roads,” said Robert Sinclair Jr., of AAA Northeast.