Analyzing Montclair police car crash data (June 2023 - June 2026) and NJ state data (2024, the latest data) we found animal car collisions are a very small roadway issue in Montclair - 0.87% of total reported car crashes in Montclair -  and one that is manageable using targeted roadway safety and innovative speed reduction measures along a few key known high-speed corridors where the crashes concentrated.

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We will post the full report soon. In the meantime, here are the highlights:

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• Only 34 animal crashes (32 deer related) out of ~3,900 total Montclair crashes, in 3.5 years, June 2023–June 2026 — 0.87% of all reported crashes.

• For every animal crash there were more than a hundred other collisions on Montclair, and none of the 34 produced a reported injury to humans.

• That's below the NJ statewide average for municipal roads (2.06%) and well below the county-road average (5.80%).

• Zero reported human injuries or fatalities in any of the 34 crashes.

• Crashes are not increasing; peaked at 15 (2024), fell to 7 (2025); numbers too small to show a trend. Carcass pickups relatively stable – 37 average annual pickups across 6 years. Carcass pick up includes other causes of death besides deer-car crashes.

• Worst-case ceiling: even if every carcass pickup (not just reported crashes) were counted as a vehicle strike, animal-related crashes would still be only ~2.9% of all crashes — still below the county-road average and on par with municipal crashes.

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Where & when

• 4 streets account for 56% of crashes; Upper Mountain Ave alone = 24% of all crashes (8 of 34).

• Timing is predictable: two-thirds of crashes happen at dawn (5–8am) or dusk (5–9pm); a third occur in the Oct–Nov breeding/rut season.

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Who's driving

• Crash reports reveal only 24% of drivers were Montclair residents; 76% came from out of town — a through-traffic pattern on regional cross-town connectors is an issue in Montclair.

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