Fall in the Uintah Basin and beyond is a busy month for deer/vehicle crashes and with daylight saving time ending soon, after-work travel will join before-work travel in lower visibility hours and that means an increase of wildlife collisions. The Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative has taken measures to decrease these collisions by installing more fences and wildlife bridges along Highway 40 and other Utah highways and it has made a difference. In 2012, there were around 10,000 deer-vehicle collisions in the state while this year there have been around 3,500 so far. Still it is important for travelers in the Uintah Basin to take precautions: Be especially alert at dawn and dusk. Make note of wildlife crossings which are placed in areas of frequent wildlife/vehicle collisions. Do not drive distracted. Do not swerve for a deer or small animal. If you do hit an animal, pull off the road and use your hazard lights if the car is undriveable. Call 9-1-1 or contact local police if you are injured or if the animal is in the roadway posing a safety threat.
