Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, but because it gets dark earlier the return to standard timedeer will become active in the evening instead of at night, as in spring and summer.
“All that extra ground they’re covering and moving makes them focused on other deer instead of other things around them, so they get a little more distracted,” Stewart said.
Most accidents occurred between 6 a.m. and 8:59 a.m., when 14,750 accidents occurred, and between 6 p.m. and 8:59 p.m., when 13,962 accidents occurred.
What happens to the deer
If you can stop in time to avoid hitting the deer, that is always the best option. But in each scenario, experts say that drivers may not swerve to another lane to avoid the impact, because that can even worsen the accident.
“If you see a deer, make sure you slow down enough because even if that deer is crossing the road … there could be one or more deer coming right behind you,” Stewart said.
He also advises drivers to be extra vigilant, especially when driving at night, and make sure the headlights are on and as bright as possible.