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Police Caution Drivers To Be On The Lookout For Deer

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- State police are warning Maryland drivers of a dangerous problem that becomes more prevalent at this time of the year.

Derek Valcourt explains why they're urging caution because of deer.

This is prime deer mating season, when they're more prone to dart into the road and put drivers in danger.

Late October through November, deer, especially bucks, start to lose their minds--focused only on mating season and not whether they're in your way.

"It was gory," said Paul Mitchell, Baltimore County.

Many drivers like Mitchell have their own deer tales.

"Someone was coming down one side of the road, hit the deer, knocked it to my side. I was going too fast to stop. Ran right over it. Ended up where the deer damaged the under portion of my car," he said.

Car damage is bad enough, but some drivers are lucky to walk away.

Struck deer have gone through windshields, and in some cases, they cause deadly accidents--like one in Owings Mills two years ago.

Sometimes hitting one can't be avoided.

State police urge drivers to keep their cars going straight.

"A lot of times if you swerve, that will become more dangerous. You may lose control of the vehicle. You may even hit a guardrail depending on where you are, a pole, a ditch, embankment or another vehicle," said Sgt. Marc Black, Maryland State Police.

The biggest risk is at dusk and dawn, when the animals are most active.

Police warn crossing signs are there for a reason, and drivers should use extra caution.

Another thing to keep in mind--experts say if you see one deer, chances are, there are more nearby that you might not see.

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, half of all collisions involving deer occur in October and November.

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