Daylight saving time can up the chances of hitting a deer

SALT LAKE CITY — Wildlife officials are reminding drivers to watch for deer as daylight saving time grows near and wildlife begin to migrate.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said people are most likely to hit a deer, or any animal, in April and May and between October and November during migration season.

“The peak time to hit deer in Utah is during November,” DWR Migration Initiative Coordinator Makeda Hanson 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.” 

According to the DWR, deer become more active in early mornings and evenings. As the time changes when the 2025 daylight saving time cycle comes to an end, drivers are more likely to hit a deer because of less light during their evening commute, making visibility a problem as well.

The DWR advised people to especially watch for wildlife in areas where animal crossing signs are located, and to use high beam lights when possible.

“Look for animal’s eyeshine, which can be seen from a distance,” the DWR said. “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.”

According to the DWR, animals can be seen along wooded areas and near streams or lakes. Those are the areas where the DWR said to be more cautious when driving.

“Do not swerve for a deer or small animals. Stay in your lane and slow down,” the DWR said.

The DWR advised drivers to honk their vehicle’s horn and to flash their lights if multiple animals are seen standing in a roadway, and to not leave their lane or swerve to miss the animal.

What to do if you hit a deer

The first thing a driver should do is pull off the road safely while using their hazard lights.

“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,” the DWR said. “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.”

The DWR also said not to approach the animal.

“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,” Hanson said. “The data collected through the app also benefits the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative and its efforts to learn more about the annual migration patterns of different animal species in Utah.”  

Daylight saving time

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday at 2 a.m., when the time “falls back” one hour.

While daylight saving time may affect a person’s body and mental state, it can also add to the possibility of hitting a deer due to the time change being associated with car crashes.

Lawmakers have attempted to make daylight saving time permanent multiple times in the past, but the change has yet to become a reality.

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