October sees a yearly increase in car-black bear collisions due to these shaggy animals rummaging for food and preparing for winter denning.

Black bears spend up to 20 hours a day in October sniffing out food, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). This fact, coupled with the season’s shorter days and less sunlight, causes more car wrecks with bears involved.

While driving, especially during dawn and dusk, the peak rummaging time for bears, it is important to remember a few safety tips. The NCWRC recommends that drivers have a “wildlife watch” if driving with someone, drive at reasonable speeds looking for “tell-tale eyeshine,” pay attention to bushes and trees that are close to the road because bears like crossing from “cover to cover” and if a bear appears in front of drivers, insurance companies advise drivers to honk the horn multiple times, flash the high beams and avoid the bear safely, if possible.

Officials warn against swerving into another lane or stomping on the breaks to avoid hitting an animal. The NCWRC advises slowing down and paying attention to roads to avoid this unfortunate event.

North Carolina is one of the top five states for collisions with bears. Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and California are the other four states.

For more information on safely coexisting with bears, visit bearwise.org.