'Tis the peak season for deer-car collisions

‘Tis the season for deer collisions. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions happen each year in the U.S., which cause over $1 billion in vehicle damage each year.

Although deer-vehicle collisions are a year-round issue, fall is a peak time for deer-related crashes. October through December is prime deer mating and migrating season, so drivers should be more alert during these months.

TIPS TO AVOID DEER-VEHICLE COLLISIONS

Drive with caution.
Drive with caution especially in marked deer-crossing zones and along roads surrounded by farmland or forests.

Be alert during high travel times.
Be especially attentive around dawn and dusk. Deer tend to be particularly active between 6-9 p.m. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.

Know their behavior.
Keep in mind that deer tend to travel in herds and in a single file. If you see one deer, there are likely more behind it.

Use high beams.
Make sure to use your high beams when possible for nighttime driving. High beams will better illuminate the deer’s eyes on or near the road.

Always wear your seat belt.
IIHS reports that 60 percent of deaths caused by animal-vehicle crashes were people who were not wearing a seat belt.