Science News Hubb
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
Science News Hubb
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News

Deer-vehicle collisions spike when daylight saving time ends

admin by admin
November 2, 2022
in Science News


People pay deerly for the switch from daylight saving time.

The change to standard time in autumn corresponds with an average 16 percent increase in deer-vehicle collisions in the United States, scientists report November 2 in Current Biology. The researchers estimate that eliminating the switch could save nearly 37,000 deer — and 33 human lives.

In a typical year, there are more than 2 million deer-vehicle collisions — about 7 percent of total vehicle crashes. To see how much the biannual time change impacts those numbers, wildlife biologist Laura Prugh and colleagues compiled data from 23 states that tracked whether a crash involved an animal and what time the crash occurred. The team compared those numbers to traffic volumes for each state between 2013 and 2019, focusing on the weeks before and after the switches to daylight saving time in springtime and back to standard time come fall.



Sign Up For the Latest from Science News

Headlines and summaries of the latest Science News articles, delivered to your inbox

Thank you for signing up!

There was a problem signing you up.

Springing forward had little effect, but almost 10 percent of yearly deer collisions on average took place around the autumn fallback — when the bulk of human traffic shifted to after dark. The problem was especially acute on the East Coast. “You see [a] really steep spike in the fall,” says Prugh, of the University of Washington in Seattle. “In the western states, you also see an increase, but it’s not nearly as sharp.” On the East Coast, the autumn switch falls in the middle of mating season for white-tailed deer. Not only are more drivers active after dark, more deer are too. “The timing could not be worse.”

Eliminating the clock change wouldn’t completely wipe out the spike in crashes — mating season plays a big role, regardless of what time sunset happens. But the scientists estimate that keeping daylight saving time year-round would decrease total deer-human collisions by about 2 percent — saving dozens of people, thousands of human injuries and tens of thousands of deer. It’s another reason for us all to move toward the light (SN: 3/31/14).



Source link

Previous Post

Emissions from world’s chip manufacturing hub are growing each year

Next Post

As Carbon Dioxide Goes Up, Plants’ Nutrient Content Declines

Next Post

As Carbon Dioxide Goes Up, Plants’ Nutrient Content Declines

Recommended

SpaceX Falcon Heavy fairing makes fiery re-entry to atmosphere (video)

May 4, 2023

Neanderthals Passed On Their Large Noses to Modern Humans

May 10, 2023

Don't miss it

Science News

Capturing methane from the air would slow global warming. Can it be done?

November 30, 2023
Science News

Unknown animals left birdlike footprints long before birds existed

November 30, 2023
Science News

ISS astronauts watch Russian cargo ship burn up in Earth’s atmosphere (photos)

November 30, 2023
Technology

Commercial Airliner Is First to Cross Atlantic with Biofuel Power

November 30, 2023
Technology

The Mysterious Explosions of Fulminating Gold

November 30, 2023
Technology

CRISPR Gene Editing: Cas9 and Beyond

November 30, 2023

© Science News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

Newsletter Sign Up

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

© 2022 Science News Hubb All rights reserved.