Colorado roadways including those in Summit County weave through wildlife habitat that mean drivers need to keep an eye out for deer and elk, especially this time of year
As the days shorten heading into winter, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding drivers that the earlier arrival of dusk increases the chance for collisions with deer and elk on the state’s roadways.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, November sees more car accidents involving wildlife than any other month.
“It’s going to be obviously most dangerous at dusk and dawn,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Manager Cody Wigner said in a news release. “This time of year, the days are getting shorter and people are commuting to and from work at those times.”
Visibility is poor when many big game animals are most active, the news release states. Deer are extremely vulnerable to being struck this time of year because this is their peak mating season and they are more mobile, easily distracted and more likely to be crossing roadways, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials.
According to transportation studies, motor vehicle accidents involving wildlife rank as the third-leading cause of crashes behind speeding and inattentive driving.
Drivers should slow down, stay alert while driving at dusk and dawn, scan ahead and watch for movement along roadsides or shining eyes in headlights, and obey traffic signs, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Source: Summit Daily
