PARLEYS CANYON — This time of year, when people set their clocks ahead one hour and the morning commute is darker for many, is also a time when more cars hit wildlife.
The time when drivers are more likely to hit animals is called "deer-thirty." It's from dusk through dawn. The problem isn't just visibility.
"Now lots of folks are driving in low-light conditions, so they're driving when the deer are out feeding," said Mark Hadley with the Division of Wildlife Resources.
That's why the DWR hopes drivers will pay extra attention.
Though they don't keep exact numbers, Hadley says they see more cars hit animals in the days after clocks spring forward during daylight saving time.
"You want to be aware of what's going on, on both sides of the road," Hadley said. "That's where the big game animals are going to come from."
Hadley also warns drivers to slow down and scan the sides of the road for movement anywhere you are.
The Utah Department of Public Safety Highway Safety Office says in 2010, there were approximately 2,800 wildlife-vehicle collisions where the driver reported more than $1,500 in damage.
Lou Flores owns an auto-body repair shop at the top of Parleys Canyon and has seen a lot of cars damaged in wildlife-vehicle collisions. He sees firsthand what can happen when a vehicle hits big game like deer or elk.
"The front, the hood, the windshield," he said. "It is all destroyed."
While wildlife-vehicle collisions happen more often in the mountains, it doesn't mean drivers should put down their guard if they are driving in urban areas.
"Even if you're along the Wasatch Front, that doesn't mean you're safe," Hadley said.
The Watch for Deer website is devoted to keeping drivers safe from animals in Utah roads. For more tips go to watchfordeerutah.com.
Email: akewish@deseretnews.com