I will be the first to admit these increasingly dark mornings make it difficult to get of bed and get a move on. That being said, I understand in theory how Daylight Savings can keep daylight where it “should be.” However, it’s still a nuisance for our internal clocks and it has become increasingly obvious that it can also negatively affect our wallets and even our lives in a more significant way.
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Here’s something to think about, your commute now perfectly lines up with when deer are most active. When clocks “fall back” in early November, the extra hour of sleep might feel like a gift, but the timing shift can put you, and your vehicle, directly in the path of wildlife. Deer are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. Right when you’re rolling out of work or heading home, they’re out there, moving across rural roads and fields in search of mates and food. During rutting season, bucks are even less cautious, chasing does across roadways without any thought to your car.
Statistics back up the danger. Deer-vehicle collisions spike by 300% in the week following the end of Daylight Saving Time, and in the U.S., these accidents lead to 200 human deaths, 26,000 injuries, and $10 billion in vehicle damage annually. In Iowa, where rural roads and fields are common, these numbers hit close to home. I should know, I’ve hit two of the dirty buggers in my life and I’m not even 40… yet.
It’s not just wildlife you’re contending with. Our internal clocks take a hit too. Losing or gaining an hour messes with sleep cycles, reduces alertness, and slows reaction times. Studies have shown that the days following time changes see an uptick in car accidents, even without deer in the mix. Combine groggy drivers with active wildlife, and suddenly a simple commute becomes much riskier.
So, what can you do to stay safe?
- Slow down during dusk
- Expect multiple deer if you see one
- Keep your high beams on rural roads
- Don’t swerve if a deer darts into your path
- Brake firmly
- Stay in your lane
Try to do these things and your body will thank you. Your car however might be in some rough shape.
Daylight Saving might be here to stay—for now—but knowing how the time change affects your commute could mean the difference between a close call and a crash. This fall, take the extra caution seriously. Your wallet, your car, and your life will be better for it.
LOOK: Here are the states where you are most likely to hit an animal
#51. Washington D.C.
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 907 (0.11% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#50. Nevada
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 698 (0.14% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#49. Hawaii
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 580 (0.17% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#48. Arizona
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 441 (0.23% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#47. Florida
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 408 (0.25% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
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#46. Alaska
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 395 (0.25% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#45. California
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 363 (0.28% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#44. Washington
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 250 (0.40% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#43. Connecticut
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 231 (0.43% of drivers) – Risk level: Low
#42. New Mexico
– Chances of hitting an animal in 2023: 1 in 222 (0.45% of drivers) – Risk level: Low…