The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds citizens that deer activity will increase as they seek fall food supplies and enter their breeding season. DNR urges motorists to be alert for deer and other wildlife during this time.
“During the fall breeding season deer travel more often and their behavior can be unpredictable,” said Brian Eyler, DNR’s Deer Project Leader. “Male deer are particularly prone to traveling without concern for roadways and automobiles. Motorists need to be especially alert from sunset to dawn as deer are more active during these periods.”
DNR offers drivers the following tips to avoid a deer-vehicle collision:
- A deer standing near the road may suddenly move in front of a moving vehicle. Drivers should slow down and sound the horn to scare the deer away from the road.
- If a driver sees a deer crossing the road ahead, slow down and scan for more deer. Deer often travel in groups and others may be out of view nearby.
- Drivers should slow down and brake to avoid hitting a deer, but do not swerve. Swerving may cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the chance of personal injury or death.
- Throughout the year, drivers need to increase awareness of deer in the early morning and late afternoon. Deer commonly move between daytime resting areas to evening feeding locations.
- Drivers must be more alert and slow down in areas where deer-crossing signs are posted. These warning signs indicate locations of frequent deer crossings.
