The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding drivers to watch out for deer.

With autumn comes deer mating season, a time of increased activity at dawn and dusk from October through December.

In 2019, a total of 16,213 crashes involved deer in Illinois; 375 were in Will County. Of these total crashes, 15,605 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, while 604 caused personal injuries and four of the crashes ere fatal.

Steps to ensure safety while driving include:

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with deer crossing signs.

• Scan the sides of the road for eye shine – the reflection of headlights in their eyes.

• Slow down if you see a deer. They travel in groups, so more are likely nearby.

• Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road or double back.

• Deer are adaptable and can flourish in rural, suburban and urban environments.

• If a collision is inevitable, try to glance your vehicle off the deer and avoid swerving into opposite lanes of traffic.

More than 40% of crashes involving deer in Illinois occurred in October, November and December, with November being the highest-risk month.

Rural environments were the site of more than 90% of all motor vehicle crashes involving deer, with more than 70% occurring at twilight or nighttime.

What if you do hit a deer?

Pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and call 911 to report the accident. Do not exit the vehicle to check on an injured deer or pull it from the road.

For more information on how to claim a deer that was involved in a crash, visit www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer/Pages/Claim-a-Road-Kill.aspx.

To report possession of a deer killed in a deer-vehicle crash, fill out the form at http://dnr.illinois.gov/SalvageDeer/(S(2g2y5tunjelyrx45y2dzqd55))/SalvageInfo.aspx.