Deer Collisions Spike In Utah As Winter Darkness And Migration Season Converge

Utah drivers already have plenty to contend with when winter rolls around. There are potholes, snowstorms, icy roads and the occasional driver who apparently believes four-wheel drive means four-wheel stop. Now, just to keep things interesting, we can add deer to the list of potential hazards.

With daylight saving time ending Nov. 1, Utahns will gain an extra hour of sleep, but they will also find themselves driving home in the dark more often. That creates a potentially dangerous combination as deer become more active during their fall migration and mating season.

Most Vehicle Deer Collisions Happen In November

“The time of year with the highest risk of hitting deer in Utah is during November,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Migration Initiative Coordinator Makeda Hanson said in a press release. “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.”

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Deer typically migrate in April and May, then again in October and November, with the fall period coinciding with the highest number of vehicle-deer collisions in Utah. Animals move to lower elevations in search of food, and drivers are more likely to encounter them during the morning and evening commutes.

The problem is more than a seasonal inconvenience. From Jan. 1 through Oct. 8, 3,738 roadkill animals were removed from Utah roadways. Since the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Utah Department of Transportation launched the free Utah Roadkill Reporter app in 2022, 19,441 roadkill animals have been reported.

The app allows motorists to report the location and species of dead animals, helping wildlife managers identify areas where collisions occur frequently and determine where wildlife crossings may be most effective. More than 60 wildlife crossing structures and hundreds of miles of fencing have been constructed throughout Utah to help reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife.

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

“Using this information, we partner with the Utah Department of Transportation to ensure wildlife crossings are constructed strategically — particularly when those routes cross migration corridors or other areas with frequent collision rates,” according to DWR Impact Analysis Coordinator Daniel Olson.
For drivers, the advice is fairly straightforward: Pay attention, especially at dawn and dusk. Watch for wildlife crossing signs, scan both sides of the road and use high-beam headlights when appropriate. If you spot one deer, keep an eye out for others. Deer rarely travel with a committee, but they do tend to bring friends.

Read More: Utah Investing In Wildlife Conservation Measures 

If an animal is near the road, slow down and stay in your lane rather than swerving to avoid it. If several animals are blocking the road, honking and flashing your lights may encourage them to move. Even after one crosses, proceed cautiously because it may turn around and try again.

COurtesy Utah Division of Wildllife Resources

And if a collision happens, don't approach an injured animal. Pull off the road if it is safe to do so, use hazard lights if necessary, and contact 911 or local police if anyone is injured or the animal creates a public safety hazard. Collisions can also be reported through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app, but never attempt to submit a report while driving.

“When you submit a report of a roadkill 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.”

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So, as the days grow shorter and winter approaches, Utah drivers can add one more item to their defensive-driving checklist. Potholes may rattle the suspension, snow may test the tires, and deer may test the reflexes. The good news is that a little extra caution can help keep an ordinary commute from becoming an expensive encounter with wildlife.