(Springfield)--There were fewer injuries and fatalities from vehicle accidents with deer last year in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Transporatation announced there were six fatal accidents during 2011, down from 10 in 2010. There were also 613 injuries during 2011, down from 634 in 2010. The total number of deer related accidents during 2011 was more than 18 thousand.

Transportation officials says most accidents occured in rural areas during the evening hours. Officals urge motorist to be cautious because deer are most active during the fall and winter.

Cook County had the most deer and vehicle accidents with more than 550. Other counties include with high deer vehicle accidents include: Madison, Peoria, Will, Fulton, Sangamon, Kane, Pike, Lake, and LaSalle.