Risk of deer-related crashes increase when daylight saving time ends, clocks fall back an hour

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The fall time change might do more than disrupt your sleep -- it could also put your safety at risk, especially on the road.

Daylight hours shorten during Autumn, especially after Daylight Saving Time ends.

Deer, being crepuscular, are most active at dawn and dusk times that coincide with busy travel periods. As darkness falls earlier after Daylight Saving Time ends, more commuters will be on the road during peak deer activity hours. Deer movement in North Carolina increases from late October through early December due to mating season and hunting activity.

According to the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Wake County had the highest number of animal-related crashes over the last three years (2022-204), with 2,676 reports. This county usually leads the state in animal-related crash reports due to its large size and increasing population.

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The NCDOT encourages the following safety tips this time of the year:

• Slow down in areas with deer crossing signs and in heavily wooded areas.
• Drive with high beams on when possible and watch for deer eyes reflecting in the headlights.
• If you see deer near a road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast.
• Do not swerve to avoid a collision.

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