New England – As winter settles in across New England and daylight hours remain at their shortest of the year, drivers across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are being warned about a regional danger that spikes sharply this time of year: wildlife collisions after dark.
According to state wildlife agencies and transportation officials across the region, winter forces animals to change their movement patterns, bringing them closer to roads and highways—often during evening and early morning hours when visibility is lowest. Shorter days mean more drivers are traveling in darkness just as wildlife activity increases.
Officials say white-tailed deer are the primary concern across all six New England states, with additional risks from moose in northern New England and coyotes and smaller wildlife throughout the region. As food becomes scarce and frozen ground limits movement, animals are drawn toward plowed roads, roadside vegetation, forest edges, and suburban corridors.
In Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, wildlife frequently moves along rural highways, mountain roads, and forested corridors. In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, collisions are more common along suburban roadways near wooded neighborhoods, parklands, and conservation areas—often during commuter hours.
Wildlife biologists note that winter alters feeding behavior, causing animals to move earlier in the evening and later in the morning. This overlap with evening commutes and early-morning travel significantly increases the risk of crashes. Deer collisions are among the most common wildlife-related incidents across New England and can result in serious injuries, vehicle damage, and dangerous roadway conditions.
Transportation officials across the region urge drivers to slow down in areas marked with wildlife crossing signs and remain especially alert between sunset and sunrise. High beams should be used when possible, but drivers are cautioned not to swerve suddenly to avoid animals, as that can lead to rollovers or collisions with other vehicles.
Drivers are also encouraged to scan roadsides carefully near wooded areas, open fields, and less-developed stretches of road. Wildlife often travels in groups, meaning if one animal crosses, others may follow moments later.
As winter continues and nights remain long, officials say wildlife-related crashes will remain a serious regional risk across New England. Drivers are urged to use extra caution during evening and early morning travel, when animal movement is at its peak.
