Middleboro Leads Massachusetts in Deer‑Vehicle Collisions in 2025

Middleboro Leads Massachusetts in Deer‑Vehicle Collisions in 2025

Middleboro Mass– recorded the highest number of deer‑related crashes in Massachusetts last year, according to data released by AAA Northeast. The town logged 77 collisions involving deer in 2025, placing it at the top of a statewide list that also includes Plymouth with 63 crashes, Westport (tied with Taunton) at 47, and Freetown with 46. The state as a whole experienced 4,347 deer crashes in 2025, a 7‑percent increase over 2024 figures from the Massachusetts IMPACT Crash Data Portal.

AAA Northeast officials said the rise in deer activity coincides with the fall mating season, a period when animals are more likely to cross roadways unpredictably. “It might seem inevitable to encounter a deer while driving in our area at this time of year, but crashes involving them are still preventable,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. He urged drivers to maintain safe speeds, stay alert, and actively anticipate deer, especially during morning and afternoon commutes.

The danger extends beyond direct impacts with deer. Data from the Massachusetts crash database covering 2020‑2025 show that injuries were reported in just over 3 percent of crashes where a vehicle struck a deer directly. When drivers swerved to avoid an animal and collided with another vehicle, a tree, pole, guardrail, or other object, the injury rate rose to more than 19 percent.

Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety highlights an additional risk factor: the end of daylight‑saving time on Nov. 1. The earlier sunset forces many commuters into darker conditions, which increases collision likelihood. The study also found that losing one to two hours of sleep can double crash risk, with drivers who get fewer than five hours of sleep facing a hazard comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Across Massachusetts, nearly 40 percent of deer crashes occur between September and November, underscoring the heightened danger during the fall mating season. AAA recommends drivers reduce speed, use high beams when appropriate, and be prepared to emergency brake or swerve safely if a deer appears, while avoiding abrupt maneuvers that could lead to secondary collisions.