Berkeley Has Some Of The Most Deer-Related Crashes In The County, Data Shows

BERKELEY, NJ — Deer-related car crashes are a problem across the Garden State. They're especially an issue in Berkeley, which is in the top five Ocean County towns for animal crashes, according to data.

According to data from Injuries Cases Autos, a website that publishes general information about motor vehicle accidents across the nation, animal crashes made up 10.2 percent of all crashes in 2023 and 2024. Injuries Cases Autos analyzed NJDOT police crash records to obtain the data.

Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey typically continues from mid- to late-October to mid-December, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Crashes occur more often after Daylight Saving Time ends, putting commuters on the road at the same time as increased periods of deer activity.

“Collisions with deer pose a very serious safety threat and can cause significant damage to vehicles and possible loss of life,” said Dave Golden, Assistant Commissioner for NJDEP Fish & Wildlife. “It’s especially important that drivers be extra vigilant to this threat and take time to know steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of collision.”

The top five Ocean County towns for animal-related crashes are the following, according to Injuries Cases Autos (numbers are from 2023 and 2024):

1. Manchester (247)

2. Toms River (207)

3. Jackson (184)

4. Berkeley (141)

5. Barnegat (121)

The worst time for a deer-related accident in Ocean County is between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. in November, Injuries Cases Autos said. The most crashes occur on the Garden State Parkway.

Monmouth County has the most animal crashes, 2,374 in two years, but in Hunterdon and Sussex about 1 in 5 of all crashes involves an animal, Injuries Cases Auto said.

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