Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, but as it gets darker earlier due to return to standard timedeer will begin to become active in the evening rather than at night as they would in the spring and summer.

“All this extra area that they’re covering and moving around, they’re focusing on other deer rather than other things around them, so they become a little more distracted,” Stewart said.

Most accidents occurred between 6 a.m. and 8:59 a.m., with 14,750 accidents, and between 6 p.m. and 8:59 p.m., with 13,962 accidents.

What happens to the deer

If you can stop in time to avoid hitting the deer, that’s always the best option. But whatever the scenario, experts say drivers should not deviate into another lane to avoid collision, as this can actually make the accident worse.

“If you see a deer, make sure you brake hard enough, because even if that deer is crossing the road… there could be one or more deer following closely behind it,” Stewart said.

It also recommends that drivers be extra vigilant, especially when driving in the dark, and make sure headlights are on and as bright as possible.