For drivers in Iowa, the annual return to standard time can also have an impact on car accident rates. In particular, auto crashes involving wildlife can be a greater risk as the hours of daylight decrease. The switch from daylight saving time to standard time coincides with mating seasons for many animals.
Deer can be particularly active at this time. On the other hand, bears are also active during the time change period. They are actively scouting for food and consuming calories prior to their hibernation in the winter. While animals are most active between the hours of dawn and dusk, later dawns and earlier dusks mean that more people are on the roadways while animals are roaming.
It can be difficult to properly see wild animals by or on the roads as the environment darkens. Thousands of people have car crashes with wildlife every year, and November can be the most common time of year for animal-related car accidents. Crashes with wildlife can cause thousands of dollars in property damage or injuries to people and animals. In other cases, vehicles swerving at the last minute to avoid wildlife may wind up crashing into others on the road.
Experts advise taking precautions in order to avoid crashes related to wildlife during the time change. Driving more slowly at moderate speeds can help to ensure that drivers have time to react appropriately to the presence of animals, avoiding crashes with wildlife or other cars. It’s also important to stay alert, especially during darker conditions.
Whether caused by wildlife or other issues on the road, automobile accidents can cause extensive property damage but also severe personal injuries. If people have been injured through the negligence of another driver, they might want to have the help of a personal injury lawyer in pursuing compensation for medical bills and other damages caused by the accident.