SMYRNA, Ga. — Georgia authorities are urging motorists to be cautious of deer this fall.
“Some Georgia motorists may only expect deer to cross rural roadways, while in fact, urban and suburban roads are also prime areas for deer-car collisions,” Don McGowan, Wildlife Resources Division biologist, said in a news release. “Hunting is oftentimes mistakenly blamed for increased deer-car collisions in autumn when, in reality, deer are on the move due to a series of both natural and human causes.”
Officials estimate there are 50,000 deer-vehicle collisions in Georgia every year.
Authorities are urging motorists to remember that deer, as is the case with all animals, are unpredictable and where there is one deer, there are likely to be others. If a deer-vehicle collision is imminent, officials also say motorists should try to minimize damage by slowing down as much as possible.
Officials also note that deer are most active at dawn and dusk.