JACKSON, Miss.- The Mississippi Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to slow down on the roads because deer are on the move.
As the weather gets cooler, the leaves begin to fall, and days become shorter, Mississippi’s deer are beginning to become more active.Mississippi drivers should be more cautious on the roads this time of year considering the high number of driving incidents that occur involving deer.
“Mississippi averages over 3,000 deer-related crashes per year,” said MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath. “The increase in vehicle-deer crashes in the fall and winter months is partially a result of higher traffic volumes, higher vehicle speed and shorter daylight hours.”
MDOT has listed a few advisories for motorists to help avoid collisions with deer:
- Watch for deer and drive with extreme caution
If you see one deer near the road, slow down and expect to see more. - Watch for deer especially around dawn and dusk. 20% of crashes happen in the morning and more than half happen between 5 p.m. and midnight.
- Always buckle up.
- At night use your bright lights when there is no approaching vehicle, they pick up on the glow of the eyes of a deer much easier.
Avoid driving distracted and always play it safe on the road.
