The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding drivers to watch out for roaming deer in the last few months of the year.
KYTC says half of all vehicle-deer collisions occur in October, November, and December - partly because shorter days and lower temperatures encourage deer to move more freely.
This increase usually begins in mid-October, when farmers increase grain harvesting. This harvest reduces food supply for deer as well as their availability of concealed habitats. Their activity also increases as mating season begins, causing them to stray from their usual travel patterns.
Kentucky is 15th in the nation for deer collisions, with drivers facing a 1 in 100 chance of hitting a deer.
Christian County was third in the state for deer collisions in 2017. Hopkins, Calloway, Graves, Marshall, Trigg and Lyon were also in the top 40 counties.
Deer collisions don't only damage vehicles. Deer contribute to approximately three highway fatalities and more than 100 injury crashes in Kentucky each year.
KYTC officials urge wearing a seatbelt, keeping brights on at night unless a vehicle is approaching and to not swerve to avoid a deer.
Motorists are also asked to report deer-vehicle collisions to police.
