Deer-Related Accident Season Hits Peak

You do everything you can to keep yourself and your family safe on the roads. However, this time of the year, there is one danger that is out of your control -- deer.

REPORT: Pa. Residents More Likely For Deer-Related Accidents Than Other States

According to Erie Insurance, the highest number of deer-related crashes are typically reported in the first two weeks of November, with one in every 100 drivers likely to be involved in an accident where a deer has been hit.

Erie Insurance offers some advice on what you can do to avoid an accident involving wildlife: Deer are most active from sunset to midnight, and in the hours shortly before and after sunrise, so use high beams when able. If you see a deer, blow your horn and wait until the deer leaves the road. Never try to drive around a deer or swerve to avoid one. Brake swiftly, but always stay in your lane. Remember that deer often travel in groups and are not only found in rural areas.

If you do hit a deer, stay in your car. An injured animal could cause harm to humans.

Call 1-800-FIX-ROAD. This is a hotline to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. They will send a service crew to remove the deer from the roadway.

If the deer is off to the side of the road, a private contractor will remove the carcass. If the deer has been struck and dies on private property, the game commission will be notified.

Related Deer Accident Stories: September 13, 2007: Deer Attacks Woman In Somerset County May 29, 2007: Deer Attacks Dog In Mt. Lebanon Yard May 19, 2007: Deer Damages Target Store November 27, 2006: Truck Crashes Into Pool After Hitting Deer November 16, 2006: Pa. Couple Injured In Wild Deer Attack November 14, 2006: Deer Jumps Through Mellon Financial Window November 18, 2005: Channel 11 Investigates: Where Are The Deer? April 5, 2005: Deer Population Swells In City Limits November 10, 2004: Man Struck, Killed By Car While Checking On Wounded Deer December 1, 2003: Car Hits Deer, Injures Teen Passenger January 29, 2003: Deer To Blame For Westmoreland Accident

Related Hunting And Miscellaneous Deer Stories: November 9, 2007: Deer Jumps Into Pittsburgh Zoo's Polar Bear Exhibit September 26, 2007: Warm Weather May Cause Deer Deaths August 27, 2007: Test Results Confirm Disease Is Killing Local Deer August 20, 2007: Death Of 50 Deer Investigated In Greene, Washington Counties November 22, 2006: More Hot Hunting Spots Revealed November 16, 2006: Pa. Couple Injured In Wild Deer Attack November 14, 2006: Hunting Tips Could Help Bag Biggest Bucks October 16, 2006: New Warnings About Deer Dangers June 9, 2006: Deer Takes Dip In Local Reservoir November 28, 2005: Deer Hunting Season Under Way November 21, 2005: Channel 11 Reveals Top 10 Hunting Spots October 30, 2003: Health Department Approves Deer-Processing Facilities January 27, 2003: Students Join Deer Population Study