LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Law enforcement agencies across the state have reminded drivers to watch out for deer in the road.
They’re active around this time of year — deer run rampant and causing hazards on the roadway.
“It is getting darker out earlier,” public information officer for the Lebanon Police Department, Zach Patton, told News 2.
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Patton added that at this time of year, there’s typically an uptick in deer-versus-vehicle crashes.
“It is deer season. The deer are out and moving,” Patton said. “So that does lead to an increase in accidents with deer.”
In 2023, there were over 4,000 wrecks involving deer in Tennessee. Three of them were fatal and more than 300 people were injured.
“Pay attention. Stay off you phone,” Patton said. “Be scanning the roadway, looking for those glowing eyes at night. Following properly — if you’re following improperly and the person in front of you encounters a deer, well, that’s not going to give you enough time to react.”