Why do deer cross the road? Because it's mating season

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois departments of Transportation and Natural Resources are once again warning the state's motorists to be on the lookout for deer on the roadways.

The departments warned Thursday that fall is the likeliest season for vehicular crashes involving deer because it is their mating season.

There were 25,006 deer-vehicle crashes in Illinois last year - down from the 25,490 recorded in 2006. Injuries were also down from such crashes in 2007 from the previous year, but there were five fatalities last year - as opposed to only one in 2006.

Naturalists say deer are most active at dawn and dusk, so motorists should be especially alert at those times.

Cook County recorded the highest number of deer-related crashes last year with 995, followed by Madison County with 694.