Deer Collision Season in Rhode Island
1 in 193 odds of an animal collision claim, 34th of 51 in State Farm’s 2025-2026 ranking. Rhode Island is the smallest state, and its deer live in the woodlots of the rural west and on Aquidneck and Block Island.
Odds of hitting a deer in Rhode Island
1 in 193, from State Farm’s analysis of industry animal collision claims between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. That ranks Rhode Island 34th of 51 (the 50 states and the District of Columbia), in the low likelihood category, against a national figure of 1 in 145. That is a lower likelihood than 1 in 140 in the 2024-2025 edition.
Source: State Farm, How likely are you to have an animal collision? (2025-2026). Compiled 2026-09-21.
Fatal animal crashes in Rhode Island by month
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 2 fatal animal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024, fewer than one a year, with 2 deaths. That is 0.4 percent of all fatal crashes in the state and 49th among the states by count. Rhode Island recorded 2 fatal animal crashes across the ten years, too few to form a monthly pattern. FARS counts crashes with any animal; the insurance claim season, October to December, is shaded.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), first harmful event Live Animal, 2015 to 2024. Compiled 2026-09-21.
When the deer rut runs in Rhode Island
The deer rut in Rhode Island runs October 25 to December 5.
“Deer move around more frequently during this time, and November is typically the peak period for collisions with motor vehicles.”Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, It's Deer Mating Season press release, 2024-10-21, quoted exactly.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, It's Deer Mating Season press release.
Sunset in Providence when the clocks fall back
On November 7, 2027, clocks fall back an hour and sunset in Providence moves from 5:34 PM to 4:33 PM, putting the evening drive home in dusk and darkness.
Providence, 61 minutes earlier by the clock.
Clock change: Uniform Time Act, 15 U.S.C. 260a, and 49 CFR part 71. Sunset calculated for Providence and checked against the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department.
What state agencies tell drivers
“If you cannot avoid hitting a deer with your vehicle, brake firmly and stay in your lane. Avoid sudden swerving, which can result in a loss of control and a more serious crash.”Wisconsin Department of Transportation, quoted exactly.
“If a deer runs in front of you, do not swerve. Brake firmly and stay in your lane.”Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security / Tennessee Highway Patrol, quoted exactly.
“Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic.”Missouri Department of Transportation, quoted exactly.
Questions people ask about deer collisions in Rhode Island
Fatal animal crash counts compiled 2026-09-21 from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). State Farm odds, agency counts and quotes compiled 2026-09-21 from the pages linked above, quoted exactly.