FORSYTH COUNTY — Deer movement will be at its peak this week across the Forsyth County area, according to research released earlier this year by the University of Georgia.

This is when deer are looking to mate and pose a greater risk for drivers to crash, UGA professor of wildlife ecology and management Bob Warren told The Times of Gainesville in September.

Warren and other UGA researchers created a map following a study of deer rutting season, where deer roam around to find mates.

The research used crash information from 2005 through 2012 and studied the movements of deer with tracking devices.

Forsyth and surrounding counties Hall, Gwinnett and Jackson share the Nov. 10-16 peak deer movement week.

There are ways drivers can reduce risk and injury, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

• Be aware that deer are unpredictable. A deer standing calmly on the side of the road may bolt into the road when startled by a vehicle.

• Deer travel in groups. If one crosses the road, prepare for more to follow.

• Deer are most active at night, between dawn and dusk. Avoid driving at these times if possible.

• Slow down to minimize damage. Resist the urge to swerve to avoid the deer; traveling off the roadway or colliding with another vehicle is likely to cause more damage.