DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado is known for its natural beauty, including the abundant wildlife that calls the Centennial State home.

With all that wildlife, however, confrontations between animals and vehicles on the road are not uncommon.

In fact, over the past five years, Colorado has seen a steady increase in animal-involved crashes, with those crash types even being the No. 3 top causal factor of crashes in 2024, according to statistics from the Colorado State Patrol.

Here's a look at that increase:

While most animal-involved crashes in 2024 were not fatal, only three, 142 did cause serious injury, and 96% of the crashes caused only property damage to the motorist, according to CSP. That said, CSP did report most animals do not survive crashes.

Some hotspots for animal-involved crashes include:

• U.S. 36 north of Boulder, which leads to Lyons, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
• U.S. 85 between Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock
• Colorado 74 in Evergreen
• Interstate 25 south of the Denver Tech Center
• Parker Road along Cherry Creek State Park

CSP shared a set of recommendations with FOX31 on what it says drivers can do to stay safe on the road and protect some of Colorado's most cherished residents:

• Scan the road (or shoulder) for movement or eye shine,
• Use bright lights at night when safe and flashlights at oncoming cars to warn of wildlife on the road,
• Do not honk at wildlife in/near road,
• Stop for wildlife in road/use hazard lights,
• Don't exceed the speed limit,
• Slow down in a straight line and stop instead of swerving because it can lead to a loss of control of their vehicle. 

The Wildlife Roadsharing Resource Center says different agencies can offer different recommendations.

"Experts in different fields provide different advice about ways for drivers to respond when animals are on the road," according to the Resource Center. "There is no single correct way in which to respond for every circumstance. Drivers MUST always be alert and prepared to respond in different situations." 

They further say the best course of action for any driver is to be aware in wildlife-prone areas.

"The best course of action is to slow down in wildlife inhabited areas especially where signs are posted, be alert to the road environment, and mentally rehearse your reaction to different potential collision scenarios."