Daylight savings in the fall means more than just turning clocks back an extra hour. It also means drivers will have evening commutes during lower-visibility hours during a time of peak migration for wildlife.
“The peak time to hit deer in Utah is during November,” shares DWR Migration Initiative Coordinator Makeda Hanson. “It coincides with mating season and the annual migration of deer. Animals are crossing more roads during the migration, and male deer move around a lot more to find mates. It also doesn’t help that the daylight hours are shorter during this time of year, creating lower visibility for drivers.”
Wild Aware Utah offers the following tips: Be especially alert at dawn and dusk. Heed wildlife crossing signs as they are placed in areas at increased risk of wildlife/vehicle collisions. Scan both sides of the road as you drive. Invite passengers to help watch for wildlife. Do not drive distracted. When safe, use high-beam headlights to better illuminate the road. Look for an animal’s eyeshine, which can be seen from a distance. Slow down once you have spotted an animal near the roadside.
For more information, visit wildlife.utah.gov/news.
