In the United States, theissue of deer-vehicle collisions (commonly referred to as the “deer issue”) is an annual danger exacerbated by time shifts, which align with peak deer activity. Given the vast stretches of rural roads and highways that many people travel across, this becomes a recurring and dangerous situation. As the clock moves forward or backward, the overlap between human commutes and deer movements creates a risk that can be mitigated by permanent changes to daylight saving time.
Winter marks a peak time for deer-related accidents, with studies showing that half to two-thirds of all deer collisions occur during this season. The reason for this surge in accidents is a combination of factors related to weather conditions and the intersection of human and animal activity.
As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, deer become more active, especially during dawn and dusk, which are the hours when they’re most likely to cross roads. Winter also brings harsher weather, including snow and ice, which can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, further heightening the risk of accidents.
Deer Behavior During Winter
During winter, deer enter their mating season (rut), causing them to be more unpredictable and prone to crossing roads. Their behavior is influenced by the need to find food, which often leads them to travel further into urban or suburban areas where food sources like shrubs, gardens, and roadsides are more abundant. This creates an increased chance of human-deer encounters.
Deer also use roadways to travel between their winter feeding grounds, which are often located near wooded areas. As such, roads that pass through areas with dense deer populations become riskier during the winter months.
The Impact of Winter Weather
Snow, sleet, and icy conditions increase the risk of accidents involving deer. These weather conditions can cause drivers to lose control, reducing their ability to stop in time when a deer unexpectedly appears on the road. Reduced visibility due to snowstorms or fog can also prevent drivers from seeing deer in time to avoid a collision.
Moreover, winter months are marked by an increase in the number of travelers on the road, whether for the holidays or routine commutes, which leads to more vehicles in areas where deer are likely to cross.
- Permanent DST would reduce deer-vehicle collisions, according to a University of Washington study:
- Estimated 36,550 deer deaths could be prevented.
- Estimated 33 human deaths and 2,054 injuries would be avoided.
- $1.19 billion in costs would be saved each year.
- 2.1 million deer-vehicle collisions occur annually in the U.S.
- These collisions kill about 440 people and cause 59,000 injuries, totaling more than $10 billion in damages.
- The relationship between human and deer activity:
- Deer are most active around dawn and dusk, making these times high-risk for collisions.
- Collisions are 14 times more frequent two hours after sunset than before.
- Fall rut increases deer activity by up to 50%.
- Impact of permanent standard time:
- A shift to permanent standard time would increase deer-vehicle collisions by 73,660, with 66 more human deaths and 4,140 more injuries.
- It would add $2.39 billion in costs.
- Conversely, permanent DST would result in a 2.3% decrease in deer-vehicle collisions, reducing risks over the full year.
- Deer-related risks:
- In deer-populated areas, the risk of harming both wildlife and yourself is 14 times higher at night.
Deer: The Deadliest Animal Threat to Drivers
According to Kip Adams, the Chief Conservation Officer at the National Deer Association, deer pose a far greater danger to Americans than the infamous predators often seen in horror films and documentaries—sharks, alligators, bears, and venomous snakes. In fact, deer-related accidents result in far more fatalities each year than all these creaturescombined . For perspective, in 2023, the entire United States sawonly two fatalities from shark attacks, while deer collisions are a leading cause of road-related deaths and injuries.
Recent data from State Farm further highlights the risk, revealing that 17 states are classified as “high risk” zones for animal-vehicle accidents, with deer being the primary culprits. These high-risk states are home to regions where deer populations are dense, and their proximity to roadways increases the likelihood of dangerous encounters.
Increasing Risk of Wildlife Collisions as Winter Approaches
Records of deer and elk carcasses removed from Washington State highways between 2000-2004 revealed that a total of 14,969 deer (including 6,135 mule deer, 4,543 white-tailed deer, 4,014 black-tailed deer, and ) and 415 elk (with 249 in western Washington and 166 in eastern Washington) were removed following collisions with vehicles.
As the weather continues to get colder, the odds of wildlife-vehicle collisions increase as animals move down from mountains and can unexpectedly run onto roadways.
Don’t Steer for the Deer
As Michigan’s “Don’t Veer for Deer” campaign puts it, the best way to avoid a more serious accident is to brace for impact and resist the urge to swerve. While the instinct to avoid hitting a deer is natural, swerving can lead to far worse consequences, such as crashing into a telephone pole or another vehicle.
It’s important to stay calm if you encounter a deer on the road. Rather than swerving, maintain control of your vehicle and try to slow down as much as possible. If a collision is inevitable, aim to stay on the road rather than veering off into ditches or other hazards.
Remember, the safest option is often to brace for impact rather than make sudden maneuvers that could lead to more dangerous outcomes.