Autumn can be a beautiful time to take a drive in northeastern Pennsylvania but you might also find yourself dodging deer.
Fall means rutting season, or mating season, in Pennsylvania and more deer out and about means more of a hazard for drivers on the road.
The beautiful autumn season has some obstacles for drivers.
"The leaves coming off the trees make the roads a little more slippery, raining season and the deer movement," said Robert Mudrick of PennDOT.
Experts said during this time deer become bolder as they search for mates and PennDOT said the increase in deer activity means drivers have to stay more alert.
That's something Richard Darling of Meshoppen knows all too well. He has hit two or three deer.
"The word is slow down, be cautious and aware of the fact that there are more deer out there," said Mudrick."
Other helpful tips:
"They say watch the road carefully and everything but look off to the side because that deer they are there just waiting to go across," said Darling.
"If there is one there is usually another one that is going to come out with it so you have to be really careful about that," said Ed Smagowicz of Montrose.
PennDOT said over the past five years almost half of deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania happened in October and November.
Fall means rutting season, or mating season, in Pennsylvania and more deer out and about means more of a hazard for drivers on the road.
The beautiful autumn season has some obstacles for drivers.
"The leaves coming off the trees make the roads a little more slippery, raining season and the deer movement," said Robert Mudrick of PennDOT.
Experts said during this time deer become bolder as they search for mates and PennDOT said the increase in deer activity means drivers have to stay more alert.
That's something Richard Darling of Meshoppen knows all too well. He has hit two or three deer.
"The word is slow down, be cautious and aware of the fact that there are more deer out there," said Mudrick."
Other helpful tips:
- Be especially watchful during morning and evening hours.
- Pay attention to where deer crossing signs are posted.
- Always wear a seatbelt.
"They say watch the road carefully and everything but look off to the side because that deer they are there just waiting to go across," said Darling.
"If there is one there is usually another one that is going to come out with it so you have to be really careful about that," said Ed Smagowicz of Montrose.
PennDOT said over the past five years almost half of deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania happened in October and November.
