MSHP shares fall safety tips

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- In the fall, typically, there are more accidents, according to auto accident data from Carfax.

There are various reasons why crashes in the fall are on the rise, including deer, harvest season, diminishing daylight and other factors.

Sgt. Shane Hux, the public information education officer for Missouri Highway Patrol Troop H shares tips on what to do about deer.

"The deer runs out in front of you," Hux said. "It's very important not to swerve to miss that deer, because what we see happen a lot of times is somebody has swerved to miss a deer traveling off the roadway, striking a fixed object or overturning, so it becomes a lot worse than actually just striking the deer again."

Hux also said the northwest Missouri harvest is underway, so there will be more slow-moving vehicles on the road.

"You never know where they're coming out of field entrances off of gravel road, secondary roadways, Hux said. "That's why it's always important to obey all the traffic laws, devote 100% of your attention to driving at all times," he said.

Hux said it's important to utilize your headlights and not leave them on automatic during daylight savings time.

"When you come to work and just prepare for that, make sure all of the lighting in your vehicle is properly working and make sure your vehicles are in good mechanical condition," he said

Hux reminds both vehicle drivers and passengers to always wear their seatbelts.