This time of year, Santa’s reindeer aren’t the only ones out and about. October through December is a prime time to see these wildlife while driving on the road. Farm Bureau Insurance reports processing over 2500 claims each year related to auto accidents involving deer. We wanted to pass along a few tips to help keep you and Rudolph safe!

• Know When They’re Most Active: Deer are more active about two hours before dawn and two hours after dawn, so make sure to keep an eye out for them in any grassy, exposed areas near the roadway.

• They Aren’t Just In Rural Areas: According to Car Star, Virginia is included in the top 10 deer danger states (the other nine being: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Indiana and South Carolina). And just because Bambi never left the woods doesn’t mean that all deer stay in wooded areas.

• Drive Defensively: Do as you learned in Drivers Ed; drive defensively and be ready to take quick evasive action, even if that means braking suddenly.

• If You See A Deer, Don’t Swerve: Don’t swerve to avoid a deer directly in your lane; swerving could cause you to lose control of your car and risk hitting another vehicle.

• Wait, And Then Continue: Remember that deer tend to travel in packs; make sure you proceed with caution after letting a deer pass, because he could have friends waiting in the wings!

• Use Your Lights: When there is no oncoming traffic, make sure you are using your high beams. It will help to spot the deer earlier by illuminating their eyes. And if you do pass by a deer, make sure to give a friendly ‘heads-up’ to any passing drivers by alerting them with your brights.

• If There Is No Other Option, Hit The Deer: If you have to choose between swerving into traffic or hitting the deer, always hit the animal. It may sound harsh, but studies show that many crashes happen not only when drivers hit deer, but when they try to avoid the deer by swerving and crashing into other approaching vehicles.

*Tips from autos.aol.com