Slow Down! Deer Ahead.

It’s deer season! Not just for hunting either! At this time of year in many areas, the deer are starting to move around, crossing streets and grazing wherever they can. While pretty to look at, the white-tailed deer presents an increasing hazard. They are overgrazing their available habitat. Ironically, they thrive in suburban settings, where there are no constraints to their population like predators or hunters. The biggest threat to humans is deer-car collisions.

Timely Deer Safety Tips:

• Deer are most active between dusk and midnight and around dawn. Use your high beam lights when driving in deer country.

• Be especially vigilant in the fall during hunting season. Deer move much more then.

• Reduce speed when you see deer near the roadside. Honk the horn to drive them away from the road, but be forewarned – they are unpredictable. It’s best to slow down to a stop if there’s no other traffic. Sometimes deer dart in front of you or stop in the middle of the road, especially when they see an approaching vehicle.

• Deer often travel in groups; if one crosses a road in front of your car, others may follow.

• Warn oncoming cars of deer sightings by flashing high beams or honking.

• Do not rely on deer whistles. Studies show they do not work.

• Do not swerve to avoid a deer, you may accidentally leave the road or hit another car.

• Do drive slowly on country roads and stay alert.

–Contributed by Glenn Morris, Farmers' Almanac Freelancer.