According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, nearly half of all deer-vehicle crashes occur in October, November, and December.

Illinois drivers were involved in more than 15,300 crashes involving deer in 2014, including four fatalities and 570 human injuries.

The traffic-heavy counties of Cook and Madison led the state for the number of crashes, with 428 apiece. The counties with the most accidents after Cook and Madison are: Will (401 crashes); Sangamon (394); Fulton (350); Peoria (340); Lake (324); Kane (319); Rock Island (290) and Jackson (288).

IDOT offers the following tips to avoid deer collisions:

• Reduce your speed near water, farm fields, and wooded areas; be prepared to stop.

• Deer will often cross roads and double back; make sure deer have moved away from the road before proceeding.

• If you see one deer, be aware that others may be close behind.

• Alert other motorists to the presence of deer by tapping your brakes.

• Don’t swerve into traffic or off the road if you see a deer; instead, slow to a stop.