HARRISBURG — Carl Roe, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director, urged motorists to stay alert and slow down when driving after dusk and before dawn to reduce their risk of colliding with deer.

"Each spring, deer congregate on the grassy areas along the state's busy highways and cover greater distances in search of food," Roe said. "This activity makes vehicle collisions with deer all but inevitable.

"For the sake of public safety, the Game Commission is asking motorists to watch for deer and to drive defensively after dark and before sunrise, which is when deer are most active," he added

If a deer steps onto a road, Roe said motorists should slow down, come to a controlled stop as soon as possible and turn on their hazard flashers. Stopping might not be an option on busy highways, unless the driver can reach the shoulder of the road.

"Don't risk trying to drive around a deer," Roe said. "Since deer usually move in single file, more deer may be following, so you should stop, or at least slow down, to make sure all deer have passed.

Drivers who hit a deer are not required to report the accident to the Game Commission. If the deer dies, only Pennsylvania residents can claim the carcass.

To do so, they must call the Game Commission for a permit number within 24 hours of taking possession of the deer.

To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 800-349-7623.