Motorists are reminded to drive with extra caution as peak mating season is underway for white-tailed deer, and darkness is arriving earlier following the end of Daylight Saving Time.

As the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and the N.J. Department of Transportation point out, deer are more likely to suddenly run onto roadways during this time of year – known as the fall rut – as bucks pursue does, risking the possibility of collision with a vehicle.