NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is advising motorists to watch out for deer crossing roads during mating and hunting season.
The THP says an increase in deer-related crashes is likely from now through December. Deer are more likely to be on the move during mating season, especially during daybreak and dusk.
THP head Colonel Tracy Trott says you should avoid swerving in an effort to miss an approaching deer.
“A lot of time the serious crashes involve people taking evasive action and stearing into another lane, or off the road into a fixed object. You’re much better off to hit a deer and fix your car.”
Statistics from the highway patrol show that there were just over 5,600 deer-related crashes last year, including 285 that involved injuries and two that were fatal.
Since 2007, deer-related crashes in Tennessee have increased nearly six percent.