Local law enforcement agencies are warning drivers to be alert on the roads as they're seeing a spike in car-deer crashes.
November is typically the month when the most car-deer crashes happen across Michigan, according to State Police data.
There are some factors that put drivers more at risk. State Police say most crashes happen in the morning between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The next most common time is at night from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
State Police say crashes are more likely to happen along local roads as opposed to highways.
Deer are more active between October, November, and December because it's their mating season and hunting season starts.
Ingham County Sheriff's Deputies are warning drivers if they see a deer, slow down. Chances are there's another deer close behind since they typically travel single file.
Even though it's a natural instinct to swerve when a deer darts out on the road, sheriff's deputies say the safest option is braking and hitting the deer.
"A lot of times swerving is the worst thing you can do and hitting a deer as unfortunate as that is, is better than hitting a tree on the side of the road," explained Lt. Vern Elliott with the Delhi Division of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office.
Local law enforcement tell FOX 47 News distracted driving is becoming a more common factor in car-deer crashes, so they're urging drivers to put down their phones and keep their eyes on the road.
