Ohio Highway Patrol is reporting the number of motor vehicle crashes involving deer are on the rise.

MANSFIELD, Ohio - The Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting the number of motor vehicle crashes involving deer are on the rise.

Thus far in 2011, there have been 300 incidents of vehicles striking deer reported to the Mansfield Post of the Highway Patrol. Sixty-nine were reported in the month of October alone. While the majority are property damage only incidents, 12 have caused injury to the driver or occupant.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there are about 1.5 million car accidents with deer each year that result in $1 billion in vehicle damage, about 150 human fatalities and over 10,000 personal injuries. Ohio ranks fourth in the nation for deer related collisions.

"This is the time of year deer become most active," says Lieutenant Vinson of the Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, "The number of accidents increases with the deer migrating and mating season which occurs between the months of October and December."

Lt. Vinson also warns, "Historical data shows approximately 190 more deer related crashes will occur in Richland County between now and the end of December."

According to Lt. Vinson, drivers should note the following tips to help avoid deer collisions:

1.) Be attentive when driving and slow down!

2.) Use high-beam headlights when it is safe to do so and when driving in deer territory to increase your field of vision. This will increase your time to react to a deer hiding on the roadside who decides to jump in front of your car. Always anticipate more than one deer in the area.

3.) According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the use of car-mounted "deer whistles" do not seem to affect deer and may result in drivers being less aware. These devices don't work! Watch out!

4.) If a collision with a deer is unavoidable, it is usually best not to swerve to avoid it, brake and hold the wheel straight. Turning the wheel to avoid the deer may result in a worse accident with another car or cause the car to spin out of control resulting in a more serious crash.

If you become involved in a crash with a deer, contact the Highway Patrol or your local law enforcement agency. A report is usually needed to file an insurance claim. Most agencies will ask you to drive your vehicle to the Highway Patrol post or police station to complete an accident report if your vehicle is driveable.