With frost in the air, Virginia’s white-tailed deer are on the move.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources says that fall is the breeding season for deer, and that they are more active now than at any other time of year. That factor plus motorists commuting on short, dark days increases the chance of a deer-vehicle collision. The department said its biologists estimate a deer population of one million in the state.

VDWR said up to two-thirds of deer hits occur during October, November and December.

The department offers this advice on avoiding costly and dangerous collisions with deer:

Slow down and be attentive, particularly at night (from dusk to dawn). If one deer crosses the road as you approach, others are likely to follow.

Deer habitually travel the same areas. Use caution when you see deer crossing signs installed in these areas by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Apply brakes, even stop if necessary, to avoid hitting a deer, but never swerve...