A new Ohio Department of Transportation safety study has identified 10 deer crash “hotspots” around the state.

“Fewer daylight hours, the increased movement of deer due to mating season, along with hunting season, can mean a greater risk of collisions between deer and vehicles,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray.

The top hotspot location in the state is State Route 64 in Lucas County between Reed Rd. and U.S. Route 20 Airport Highway with 19 crashes in 2014.

In Crawford, the area between Crawford County Line and Malcolm Road was identified and in Knox, the area between State Route 309 and Schenek Creek Road was also identified.

ODOT reminds you to use these driving tips to help avoid collisions with deer:

· Watch for deer crossing signs and drive with extreme caution, especially in the posted areas.

· If you see a deer near the road, expect that others will follow.

· Watch for deer near roadways, especially at dawn and after sunset. About 20 percent of these crashes occur in early morning, while over half occur between 5 p.m. and midnight.

· After dark, use high-beams when there isn’t oncoming traffic. These will illuminate the deer eyes allowing more time to react.

· Always wear safety belts and drive at safe, sensible speeds for road conditions.

If a vehicle strikes a deer, motorists should report the crash by calling local law enforcement, the sheriff’s department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, or the Ohio Department of Natural Resources – even if there was no damage to the motorist’s vehicle. Motorists can claim the carcass through those agencies.