It’s autumn, which means deer are on the move.

Does are getting close to mating. Bucks have scraped the velvet off their antlers and are staking out territories. Fawns born this year have grown enough to show some independence, straying from mom.

It adds up to more deer appearing alongside roads — or crossing roads. Or standing in roads.

Drivers need to pay attention, especially as dusk comes earlier each day, putting deer and motorists out at the same time each evening. It will get even worse after the time change this weekend, which will put sunset in the Iron Mountain area at just after 4:30 p.m.

More than 43.8% of vehicle-deer crashes in Michigan occur during the months of October, November and December, according to AAA-The Auto Club Group.

Last year, 19 people were killed in deer crashes. Eight were occupants in motor vehicles and 11 were motorcyclists, AAA states in a news release. Another 1,725 people were injured in vehicle-deer crashes.

In Michigan, vehicle-deer crashes are expensive, causing more than $130 million in damage annually. The state has a nearly 2 million-strong deer herd. Deer frequently travel in groups. If one deer is crossing the road, more are likely nearby.

“With the onset of whitetail deer mating season and more traffic in the woods than normal, fall is a particularly dangerous time for deer-vehicle crashes in Michigan,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman, AAA-The Auto Club Group. “Shorter days call for motorists to be on the lookout for deer, especially at dawn and dusk.”

The state in 2023 had 58,806 vehicle deer crashes, down slightly from 58,984 during 2022. Kent County had the most crashes with 2,171. The remaining top nine were Oakland with 2,125, Genesee with 1,605, Allegan with 1,545, Jackson with 1,521, Ottawa with 1,517, Lapeer with 1,505, Calhoun with 1,332, Washtenaw with 1,320 and Clinton with 1,306.

While no Upper Peninsula county appears on the list, drivers need only glance at the carcasses that regularly show up on roadsides — even in urban areas — to know deer and vehicles often cross paths with bad results.

To avoid become part of the 2024 deer crash numbers, AAA recommends these safety tips for motorists —

— Stay awake, alert and sober;

— Always wear a seat belt;

— Be especially alert at dawn and dusk;

— If you see one deer, slow down, as others are likely nearby;

— If a crash is unavoidable, don’t swerve — brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel, stay in your lane and bring your car to a controlled stop.

AAA has slightly different advice for motorcyclists —

— Stay awake, alert and sober;

— Slow down and be alert for deer whenever and wherever you ride;

— Cover the brakes to reduce reaction time;

— Use high beam headlights and additional riding lights when possible;

— Wear protective gear at all times.