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Beware of wildlife during your holiday travel

The sides of Texas roadways can serve as a feeding station for wildlife, such as deer.
The sides of Texas roadways can serve as a feeding station for wildlife, such as deer.

With more deer on area roadways and weather a bigger factor this time of year, Texas State officials urge even more caution when traveling.

AAA has predicted that as many as 6.9 million Texans plan to drive to their holiday destinations.  

Trey Turner is with the Texas Department of Transportation Office in Paris, and says deer-related accidents nationwide are at around four percent, but suspects that rate is higher in Texas. That’s because during drought there is generally more new grass for grazing due to rain runoff along the highways, an area where deer won’t have to compete with livestock, as opposed to depleted pastures.

You’re advised to pay extra attention, look ahead of where you’re traveling, and reduce your speed during the early morning and late night hours.

You can hear Scott Harvey’s full interview with Trey Turner on Friday's edition of The Lead, beginning at 10 a.m.