Drivers may want to keep a closer eye on the road.
New Jersey officials are cautioning commuters about heightened white-tailed deer activity as the animals enter their annual mating season.
The state Department of Environmental Protection said Friday that motorists should be especially alert during the morning and evening commute, when bucks are more likely to cross roads while pursuing does.
Known as the “fall rut,” New Jersey’s peak deer-mating period typically runs from mid-to-late October through the middle of December, according to the agency.
“Collisions with deer pose a very serious safety threat and can cause significant damage to vehicles and possible loss of life,” Dave Golden, assistant commissioner of NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, said in a warning.
Golden urged drivers to remain vigilant, adding that motorists should learn the steps they can take to lower the risk of hitting a deer.
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The danger could increase after daylight saving time ends on Nov. 1, officials said, as reduced visibility makes deer harder to spot along busy roadways.
With more commuters traveling during the darker morning and evening hours, drivers may find themselves on the road at the same time deer are most active during the rut, raising the likelihood of crashes.
About 25,000 vehicle accidents involving deer are reported in New Jersey each year, according to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
New York sees an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 deer-related crashes annually, according to the New York State Department of Transportation, which recently launched a public awareness campaign.
To help avoid a collision, officials recommend slowing down, watching for “Deer Crossing” signs and using high beams when driving at night, when appropriate.
New Jersey’s white-tailed deer population has grown to troublesome levels in many suburban communities. Gothamist reported that roughly 100,000 deer are now estimated to roam across the state.