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As Clocks Fall Back, States Warn of Higher Deer-Vehicle Crash Risk

Rutting season drives unpredictable deer movement at dawn and dusk, with claims data placing Pennsylvania among the highest-risk states.

Overview

  • Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, shifting more commuting into low-light hours that coincide with peak deer activity.
  • The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Virginia’s VDOT issued late-October alerts urging extra caution through November as deer crossings increase.
  • State Farm’s latest claims data show Pennsylvania leading the nation in animal-collision claims, with odds of 1 in 62 for drivers.
  • Agencies advise slowing down, avoiding swerves, using high beams when safe, and watching for multiple deer that often travel single file.
  • Pennsylvania motorists may claim a deer by calling the Game Commission within 24 hours, with chronic wasting disease transport limits in effect, while Virginia provides roadkill reporting via hotline and Michigan reports more than 58,000 deer-related crashes in 2024.