Shorter days and cooler weather mark the start of deer mating season or “rut,” and that means motorists need to be extra careful.

Throughout the fall, deer become increasingly active, with mating activity peaking in November and then tapering off in December and January.

Like many mammals, deer are most active early and late in the day. Shorter days put commuters on the road during these peaks of deer activity, increasing the potential for collisions.

Deer-car collisions used to be a rural phenomenon.

Today, however, deer are common in suburbs and cities. Nearly half of all reported deer-vehicle accidents occur in counties around major population centers.