Each fall, thousands of collisions occur between deer and cars that result in deaths and cost millions of dollars for insurance companies.

Because of deer mating and hunting seasons, state officials are warning motorists to drive safely.

Penn State Wildlife Resources professor Gary San Julian said between 80,000 and 90,000 deer collisions occur each year in Pennsylvania.

Erie Insurance Group spokesman Mark Dombrowski said Erie Insurance reported 17,525 deer collision claims in Pennsylvania in 2003, costing more than $34 million.

Because Erie Insurance Group is the only insurance group in Pennsylvania that reports deer collisions, the total number of deer collisions in the commonwealth is unknown.

San Julian said the total cost for deer collisions in Pennsylvania in 2003 was estimated by his researchers at about $137 million.

Jerry Feaser, Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman, said the increase in the number of deer collisions between the months of October and December is largely because of the mating season.

"During the deer mating season the male deer has his nose to the ground following the scent of the doe and will walk right in front of an 18-wheeler," Feaser said.

Feaser also said the end of daylight savings time puts more motorists on the road during deer activity from dusk until dawn.

San Julian recommended that all motorists slow down while driving during this time.

"Speed is a key factor," he said.

San Julian also stressed motorists should not swerve to miss a deer.

"Hit the deer rather than risk your life," he said.

San Julian added that many fatalities occur when the deer goes through the car windshield.

He said if there is no way to stop the car in time, it is actually best to speed up because it will cause the front end of the car to rise and decrease the possibility of the deer coming through the windshield.

San Julian said 12 people were killed in Pennsylvania in 2002 from deer collisions.

Steve Chizmar, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said 14 people were killed in 2003.

San Julian said between 100 and 200 people are killed nationwide each year from deer collisions.

Erie Insurance recommends all motorists wear their seatbelts and use high-beam headlights when appropriate. Blowing the car horn may also help.

San Julian recommends that if a motorist hits a deer, he or she should call the state police or the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Motorists should stay away from the deer, pull over and put their flashers on, he added.

San Julian said the increase in deer collisions is a product of our culture.

"More people are driving -- we are a product of urban sprawl," he said.