PORTLAND — Officials say the number of collisions between automobiles and moose has dropped over the past several years.

Moose crashes have been in the news in the state after three such collisions on Tuesday, one of which killed a 60-year-old Brewer man. The state averages about 443 moose collisions from 2008 to 2013. State figures say the average was about 674 from 1995 to 2007. The high year was 1998 with 858.

Last year, there were 385 moose-vehicle collisions with no fatalities. There have been 113 through July 9 of this year.

Up to 80 percent of the collisions occur between dusk and dawn. State officials say public outreach and “moose crossing” signs have helped reduce crashes.

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