Regular readers of our police logs will see a lot of crashes involving deer.

Hunters might report having trouble seeing them in the fields, but they are sure along the roads.

You really can’t go anywhere these days without seeing dead deer on the side of the road.

In Pennsylvania, 5,848 deer-related crashes were reported in 2022, resulting in 1,265 injuries and nine fatalities. The average cost of a deer-related collision is approximately $4,300.

Pennsylvania filed 153,397 auto insurance claims involving animal collisions between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, the most in the nation.

According to State Farm, the odds of hitting a deer in Pennsylvania are 1 in 61.

The beautiful rural roads that we love are ripe for deer crossings.

The chances are higher in November and December, because deer are on the move and drivers are drowsy.

Daylight Saving Time ended on Sunday, and AAA says it can lead to unsafe drowsy driving.

Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central said, “Twilight is one of the most challenging times of the day to drive as it is, so motorists should take extra precautions in the weeks ahead to avoid putting pedestrians in harm’s way.”

That’s when deer are most active.

Deer are in their fall breeding season, commonly referred to as the “rut,” meaning they have more on their minds than paying attention when they cross the road.

Around this time, many yearling bucks disperse from the areas in which they were born and travel, sometimes several dozen miles, to find new ranges. Meanwhile, adult bucks more often are cruising their home ranges in search of does, and they sometimes chase the does they encounter.

The hours between dusk and dawn are the peak hours for deer activity.

“As the rut approaches, whitetails are ramping up their activity levels and expanding their home ranges,” said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith.

The average weight of an adult whitetail buck in Pennsylvania is about 140 pounds. Bucks are typically 32—34 inches tall at the shoulder and 70 inches long from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail.

Consider the damage that it can do if you hit a deer when you are driving 45 miles an hour or worse.

At best, you will have significant damage. At worst, your car will be totaled. Or you could be seriously hurt.

Unless your best friend is an auto body technician, you might consider these tips from the game commission, who says you should stay alert and learn about deer behavior.

Some tips to avoid deer:

• It’s common sense, but slow down. Keep your eyes off your cellphone and look ahead.

State Farm says speeding or using your phone increases the chance of an animal collision by 23%.

• If you see a deer in the distance, be sure to slow down. You don’t know if the deer will cross in front of you, but you sure don’t want to take a chance.

• A long blast of your horn can scare a deer away and alert other drivers.

• Brake, don’t swerve: Swerving can cause you to lose control of your car or hit another vehicle. Instead, brake firmly while staying in your lane.

• Drive in the center lane: On multilane roads, the center lane gives deer more space and you more time to react.

• Pay close attention while driving on stretches marked with “Deer Crossing” signs can make a difference.

• Deer often travel in groups and walk single file. So even if one deer successfully crosses the road in front of a driver, it doesn’t mean the threat is over. Another could be right behind it.

• If a deer is struck by a vehicle, but not killed, drivers are urged to maintain their distance, because some deer might recover and move on.

• Buckle up. This is common sense, too.

Wearing a seat belt is your best defense in any crash.

MARTA GOUGER | MGOUGER@TNONLINE.COM