While motorists may gain an extra hour of sleep with the end of daylight saving time, they’ll have to watch out more for wildlife on New Jersey roadways. The return of standard time falls during mating season for many of these animals, and heightened animal activity levels between dusk and dawn can pose particular dangers for drivers as they make their daily commutes.
Motorists who find themselves traveling during the early morning or evening hours may want to remain mindful that roaming animals might be difficult to see in low daylight conditions. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, more wildlife-related crashes occur in November than during any other month.
To that end, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering timely advice for drivers who want to lessen their chances of an animal-related accident. The agency asks drivers to slow down, stay alert and scan the side of the road for movement and headlights reflecting in animals’ eyes. Animals often travel together, and the smallest suggestion of movement at the edge of the road could indicate that several deer are preparing to cross. If a crash is unavoidable, drivers might note that the use of seat belts could reduce their risk of serious injury or death by half, according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.
On occasion, some motorists may find themselves unexpectedly involved in a wildlife-related crash caused by a less cautious driver. When a motorist who is traveling too fast for conditions causes serious injury to another party, the victim may choose to pursue financial compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney. Under some circumstances, the attorney could litigate the case on the injured client’s behalf.
