OH DEER: With the recent time change and deer on the move, AAA East Central cautions drivers to be especially vigilant on the roads in animal-prone areas. From now until the end of the year, motor vehicle collisions with animals are very common, due to deer mating season.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, there are more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions each year, resulting in 150 human deaths and tens of thousands of injuries. AAA Insurance reports that its average deer-related claim in the region is about $3,500.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) finds that between 2014 and 2017 there were 1,740,425 animal-related insurance claims processed in the United States with collisions with deer causing the most claims.

To help prevent a crash or to reduce damage from an animal collision, AAA suggests motorists:

•Pay attention to road signs. Yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer indicate areas with high levels of deer activity.

•Keep your eyes on the road. Ditch distractions (cell phone etc…) Deer rarely travel alone, so if you see one, there are likely to be more nearby.

•Be especially attentive in early morning and evening hours. Many animals, especially deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., prime commuting times for many.

•Resist the urge to swerve. Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don’t know which way to run.

If the crash is imminent take your foot off the brake. Letting off the brake can protect drivers from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.

In the event of a collision with an animal, AAA recommends:

•Call the police.

•Avoid making contact with the animal. A frightened or wounded animal can hurt you or further injure itself.

•Put the vehicle’s hazard lights on, whether it’s light or dark outside.

•If possible, immediately move the vehicle to a safe location, out of the roadway, and wait for help to arrive.