MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - October in Meridian Township means many things, including an increase in deer movement.

Drivers in Meridian experience an average of 150 deer collisions every year, and while deer collisions are thus far below average for 2015, that does not mean that drivers are any less at risk.

The Meridian Township Police Department has these tips for a safe end of the year.

1.) Be aware of both the time of day and time of year. Deer are more active at night and using times in and around dark hours. The evening, night, and early morning present higher chances of deer encounters. Deer are more active in winter in part because of the shortened days, with more chance of encountering them into late afternoon. Harsher weather conditions will mean fewer foraging opportunities for animals, meaning deer will foray further from their usual territory than usual. Hunting season also causes an increase in deer movement.

2.) Be aware if your area is subject to high deer traffic. While wooded areas pose in increased risk, the Meridian Police site Cornell Road, Van Atta Road, and the nearby stretch of Grand River Avenue as examples. However, encounters are possible regardless of area, as deer are known to wonder into the extreme city center.

3.) Remember to travel at a safe speed. Posted speeds should not be violated to begin with, but higher speeds means a braking vehicle will travel farther before coming to a complete stop. Ice and snow also create unstable road conditions, creating further danger at high speeds such as increased and unstable braking conditions. If the road is covered in snow, it is considered a general rule of thumb to considered the posted speed invalid.

4.) If a deer collision is unavoidable, do not swerve. It is more dangerous to swerve off the road or into the opposing lane. A stationary object (such as a tree, barrier, or cliff) or oncoming vehicle will do more damage to a vehicle and more harm to the driver than an animal. Additionally, a driver's best bet at this time is the chance that the animal will react in time and move out of the way.

The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition say that October and November are two of the most dangerous months in Michigan for deer-vehicle crashes. In 2014, 42 percent of all deer-vehicle crashes occurred in the fall.