North Carolina Drivers Face Increased Animal Crash Risks
Motorists should exercise extra caution during autumn months as wildlife activity increases the risk of road collisions.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Wildlife
Live Poll
Do you feel confident in your ability to avoid collisions with wildlife while driving?
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that animal-related vehicle collisions remain a consistent safety concern across the state, with data from 2023 through 2025 highlighting November as the peak month for these incidents. North Carolina motorists should remain alert for increased wildlife activity on roadways during autumn, as data shows over 65,000 such crashes occurred in a three-year period.
Why it matters
Autumn months bring elevated collision risks as wildlife activity increases due to hunting and mating seasons. Drivers should be particularly cautious near wooded areas, streams, and transit corridors where animal movement is most frequent.
North Carolina recorded 26,143 animal-related crashes in 2025, an increase from 25,540 in 2024. In Lenoir County specifically, there were 376 incidents in 2025, leading to 41 injuries and over $4.2 million in property damage over the three-year reporting period.
The players
N.C. Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for managing road safety and infrastructure, which tracks and reports collision data to inform public driving practices.
The details
Animal-vehicle collisions often occur when deer transit near bridges, railroad tracks, and wooded environments. To mitigate risk, drivers should maintain distance from other vehicles and utilize high beams at night to increase visibility. If a collision occurs, motorists are advised to move their vehicle off the road if possible and contact 911 to report the incident.
Timeline
2023-2025: Period for statewide and Lenoir County animal-vehicle collision data.
2024: Statewide and Lenoir County annual collision totals.
2025: Statewide and Lenoir County annual collision totals.
Autumn months: Peak period for animal-vehicle collision frequency.
November: Month with the highest historical crash frequency.
The Home Front
These trends reflect a long-term pattern in state road safety data where wildlife-vehicle interactions correlate with seasonal environmental shifts. This analysis follows established standards for reporting regional transit risks to help families understand peak hazardous driving windows.
Drivers should prepare for higher collision risks during autumn by checking high-beam functionality on all vehicles used for daily family travel. When traveling through wooded areas or near waterways in North Carolina, remain vigilant and scan the road shoulders for movement.
The takeaway
Wildlife activity peaks during November, posing the highest risk for property damage and injury on North Carolina roads. Always stay alert on secondary roads near wooded areas and ensure your insurance documentation is up to date before peak migration seasons.
Further reading
For more on managing risks associated with local wildlife, visit the North Carolina Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kinston/Jones Free Press.
Live Poll
Do you feel confident in your ability to avoid collisions with wildlife while driving?
