Animals Get a Head Start When the Clocks Shift

The idea that moving clocks forward or back might help wildlife is surprising, but research shows it can make a real difference for animals that share roads with humans. In the United States, traffic accidents involving deer and other large mammals happen over a million times each year. These collisions not only kill the animals but also cause many human fatalities and huge economic costs. The risk that an animal becomes roadkill depends on how busy the roads are, how many animals roam near them, and how drivers behave. One key factor is light: deer are most active right after sunset, when they cross roads or graze along the edges. If the clocks are set back in autumn, evenings stay dark longer and drivers are more likely to hit animals during their peak activity period. A study of over 35, 000 deer collisions in New York found that the shift to standard time increased accidents, especially on weekdays.

Conversely, keeping clocks forward year‑round—permanent daylight saving time—could reduce these incidents. A University of Washington analysis estimated that such a change would save about 33 human lives, prevent roughly 36, 000 deer deaths, and cut around $1 billion in related expenses each year. The research noted that the extra crashes that happen at night during standard time are not balanced by fewer morning collisions; deer hit rates jump 14 times after darkness. Springtime is less problematic because deer are generally calmer, and evening commutes usually finish before dusk. Still, animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and even koalas in Australia show increased risk during dark evenings. The takeaway for drivers is to stay vigilant during peak times—especially around dusk—and remember that many animals cross roads in groups.

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