Time change, mating season a dangerous combo on Alberta highways
Global News
On Nov. 6, you’re reminded to turn your clocks back for daylight saving time. But most people aren't aware it also marks the most dangerous time of the year for drivers and deer.
When clocks are turned back an hour every November for daylight savings time, wildlife collisions go up dramatically. Studies show daylight savings time is the most dangerous time of the year for collisions.
According to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, about 80 per cent of wildlife-vehicle collisions involve deer, with the peak time being November.
This coincides with the mating season and according to naturalist Dave Klepacki, animals acting on biological urges means they are paying less attention to traffic.
“We have problems with humans, groggily eyed, getting used to time change,” Klepacki said.
He said their patterns coincide with rush hour.
“The bucks are full of testosterone and they are totally focused on mating so they don’t have the sense about them and there’s not the usual concern with traffic,” Klepacki said. “We’ve lost about a dozen … That’s a lot of casualties when you have the herd of 100.”
Renée Delorme runs a volunteer group, Bragg Creek Wild. Every mating season, they put signs on the side of the highway warning drivers to slow down.
She believes the numbers could be much higher.
