Southeastern U.S. – As winter settles in across the Southeastern United States and nights remain longer than average, drivers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee are being warned about a regional danger that spikes sharply this time of year: wildlife collisions after dark.
According to state wildlife and transportation agencies across the Southeast, winter conditions alter animal movement patterns, bringing wildlife closer to roads and highways—often during evening and early morning hours when visibility is reduced. While snow is less common across much of the region, cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours increase nighttime wildlife activity just as drivers are traveling more in the dark.
White-tailed deer are the primary concern across all six states, particularly along rural highways, suburban corridors, and wooded roadways near growing metro areas. In Tennessee and North Carolina, collisions are common near foothills and mountain-adjacent routes. In Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, deer frequently move along forest edges, farmland boundaries, and less-developed roadways near suburban growth zones.
Wildlife officials note that winter feeding behavior causes deer to move earlier in the evening and later in the morning, overlapping with commute times and increasing crash risk. Unlike northern regions, the Southeast often sees steady wildlife movement throughout winter rather than a single peak, keeping collision risks elevated for weeks at a time.
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 warned not to swerve suddenly to avoid animals, as that can lead to loss of control or collisions with other vehicles—particularly on two-lane highways.
Drivers are encouraged to scan roadsides carefully near wooded areas, open fields, river corridors, and rural or semi-rural stretches of road. Officials stress that deer often travel in groups, meaning if one animal crosses, others may follow moments later.
As winter continues across the Southeast, officials say wildlife-related crashes will remain a persistent regional hazard. Drivers are urged to use extra caution during evening and early morning travel, when animal movement is at its peak.
