DEER MATING SEASON IS HERE AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS URGING MOTORISTS TO BE CAREFUL AND STAY ALERT. 

THE SEASON TYPICALLY RUNS OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER, SO DRIVERS NEED TO BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS SAYS I-DOT SPOKESPERSON MARIA CASTANEDA.

CASTANEDA SAYS YOU SHOULD PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION DURING DUSK AND DAWN.

CASTANEDA ALSO WARNS TO PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED AS DEER SOMETIMES STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR DOUBLE BACK. LAST YEAR IN ILLINOIS, THERE WERE NEARLY 14 THOUSAND DEER-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, RESULTING IN 611 PERSONAL INJURIES AND 10 DEATHS. ILLINOIS COUNTIES WITH THE MOST DEER RELATED CRASHES LAST YEAR INCLUDE COOK, MADISON, WILL, SANGAMON AND PEORIA.