For many, autumn is one of the best seasons we get to enjoy here in Wisconsin. The changing colors, the crisp clean air, and the preparation for the upcoming deer season.

Unfortunately there are many who have contact with the elusive whitetail not in the woods or from their tree stand, but rather with their motor vehicles. We have seen the number of car-deer accidents increase over the years, but having dug deeper into the statistics, it is alarming just how much of an increase we have experienced.

Our current record management system dates back to 2000. In that year we documented 268 car-deer accidents.

In 2018 we had a total of 454, and these are just the accidents which were reported to us. Many times, for various reasons, deer are struck by motor vehicles and the drivers decide not to report these accidents, although we are aware of these due to the deer carcasses which remain at the scene. Those accidents are not counted in this data.

On a good note, last year at this time there were 284 reported car-deer accidents while this year so far there have only been 255. Let’s all try to keep this year’s total lower than last year. We can do this in many ways.

First, let me say that I have no idea about deer populations or trends. That is information that the Wisconsin DNR keeps track of. While it may have some bearing on our growing number of car-deer accidents, I also believe we have developed some bad habits over the past 17 years which have also led to the increase.

The biggest contributor I see is inattentive driving. Although inattentive driving has been around since the dawn of the automobile, the presence of electronic devices is something new, and with it has emerged a new method of communication — texting.

We have all heard of, or may even have witnessed, the dangers that texting while driving poses on our roadways. I have no doubt that there are more than a few car-deer accidents which could have been avoided had the driver been paying closer attention to the road.

Distracted driving is a danger throughout the year, but if there was ever a time to put your phones away, it is in these next few weeks and months. As a driver, your focus needs to be on your primary mission, and that is driving.

Many car-deer accidents could be avoided by an increase in vigilance along road edges and ditch lines. Most of the ditches on the town, county and state highways have been cleared for this very reason, providing drivers with an additional field of vision to prevent such tragedies.

As I stated earlier, we have seen the increase in car-deer accidents. Please take your time and be watchful, especially in the evening and morning hours.

This includes allowing additional space between your vehicle and the vehicle traveling in front of you. Following too closely is always unsafe, but more so in this time of year when that vehicle in front of you may have to take evasive maneuvers and you are too close to effectively react.

Matt Joski is Kewaunee County Sheriff.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Car-deer accidents are on the rise. Inattentive or distracted driving may be the reason