Pacific Coast – As winter settles in along the Pacific Coast and daylight hours remain limited, drivers across California, Oregon, and Washington are being warned about a regional danger that spikes sharply this time of year: wildlife collisions after dark.
According to wildlife and transportation agencies across the West Coast, winter conditions force animals to adjust their movement patterns, bringing them closer to roads and highways—often during evening and early morning hours when visibility is lowest. Shorter days mean more drivers are traveling in darkness just as wildlife activity increases.
Deer are the primary concern across all three states, with additional risks from elk in Oregon and Washington and black bears in some forested regions. Along the Pacific Coast, collisions frequently occur near coastal highways, forested corridors, river valleys, and mountain-adjacent routes where wildlife moves between higher elevations and lower winter feeding areas.
In California, crashes are common near the Sierra foothills, coastal ranges, and Central Valley edges. In Oregon, forest highways and mountain passes see increased animal crossings. In Washington, wildlife movement intensifies along eastern corridors and near mountain foothills west of the Cascades, especially during long winter nights.
Wildlife biologists note that winter feeding behavior causes animals to move earlier in the evening and later in the morning, overlapping with commute times and increasing crash risk. Rain, fog, and low cloud cover—common along the Pacific Coast—further reduce visibility and reaction time for drivers.
Transportation officials across the region urge drivers to slow down in areas marked with wildlife crossing signs and remain especially alert between sunset and sunrise. High beams should be used when possible, but drivers are cautioned not to swerve suddenly to avoid animals, as wet roads, winding highways, and heavy traffic can lead to loss of control or secondary crashes.
Drivers are encouraged to scan roadsides carefully near forest edges, coastal bluffs, river corridors, and less-developed stretches of highway. Officials stress that wildlife often travels in groups, meaning if one animal crosses, others may follow moments later.
As winter continues along the Pacific Coast, officials say wildlife-related crashes will remain a serious regional hazard. Drivers are urged to use extra caution during evening and early morning travel, when animal movement is at its peak.
