The start of mating season brings more deer out and about -- a potential hazard for First State drivers.
"We’re seeing an increased deer population than we have in recent years," said AAA Mid-atlantic spokeswoman Jana Tidwell.
AAA reports that there was a 19 percent increase in deer crash claims costs last year in Delaware. The average claim involving a drivers who struck a deer cost $3,268.
Delaware State Police saw a 17% increase in animal-vehicle crashes in 2013 and an overwhelming majority of the total of 1,110 involved deer. 47 of those accidents resulted in personal injuries, up 24 percnet from 2012.
While there were no fatalities last year, AAA Mid-Atlantic warns motorists to be more aware of deer during mating season - especially around dawn and dusk. They caution drivers not to speed on roadways and to look out for groups of deer who may cross the street one after the other.
"If you see a deer in the road and you’re trying to get down the road, definitely use your horn, and most of the time that will deter the deer from moving into the roadway as you slowly continue along," said Tidwell.
Deer mating season runs from October through December.
