HEADS UP: November tops charts for Utah wildlife accidents

Buck deer in road Photo: Utah DNR

“The peak time to hit deer in Utah is during November,” Utah DWR Migration Initiative Coordinator Blair Stringham said. “It coincides with mating season and the annual migration of deer. It also doesn’t help that the daylight hours are shorter during this time of year, creating lower visibility for drivers.”

The Utah Department of Natural Resources says November is the month with the highest rate of deer/vehicle collisions in Utah. Daylight savings causing more people to be driving with lower visibility and the fall migration of animals in search of food at lower elevations are cited as the primary factors pushimng the sharp increase in collisions during November.

“The peak time to hit deer in Utah is during November,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Migration Initiative Coordinator Blair Stringham said. “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.”

As of Oct. 17, there have been over 3,000 deer/vehicle collisions reported in Utah this year. Deer are more active early in the morning and in the evenings, which coincides with busy commuting hours. This is also when low-light conditions make it difficult for drivers to see.

How to avoid wildlife collisions

As daylight saving time ends, here are some tips from Wild Aware Utah to help you avoid wildlife collisions:

• Be especially alert at dawn and dusk.

• Heed wildlife crossing signs. These signs are usually placed in areas known to have a high volume of wildlife/vehicle collisions.

• Be alert on roadways near wooded, agricultural and wetland areas and also near lakes and streams.

• Scan both sides of the road as you drive. Invite passengers to help watch for wildlife.

• Do not drive distracted. Put away food, phones and other distractions.

• When possible, 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.

• Some animals travel in groups, so be sure to watch for additional animals if you see one.

• Do not throw trash out of your vehicle. Not only are there penalties for littering on a highway, but trash and food scraps can also draw animals to roadways.

If you see an animal on or near the road, here are some additional suggestions:

• Do not swerve for a deer or small animals. Stay in your lane and slow down.

• If several animals are standing in the road, do not try to drive through them or get out of the vehicle to chase or herd them. Honk your horn and flash your lights to encourage them to move on.

• If an animal has crossed the road, continue to drive slowly and be cautious because it may try to cross again.

What to do if you hit an animal

• Pull off the road and use your hazard lights if your car is undriveable.

• Do not try to approach an injured animal.

• Call 911 or contact your local police department if you were injured or if the animal is in the roadway and could pose a threat to public safety.

• Submit a report of the collision through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app. Include the species of animal that was hit, a GPS location and a photo of the animal. Never use the app while driving, and it’s recommended to not get out of your vehicle when submitting a report, due to safety concerns along busy roads.

“When you submit a report of hitting an animal through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app, it helps provide information about potential areas for wildlife crossings,” Stringham said. “The data collected through the app will also benefit the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative and its efforts to learn more about the annual migration patterns of different animal species in Utah.”