RAPID CITY, S.D. – With daylight saving time coming to an end this weekend, Rapid City officials are reminding motorists to use extra caution as darkness arrives earlier each evening.
Beginning Sunday, sunsets will occur before 5 p.m., meaning more people will be commuting, walking and biking during low-light conditions. City officials say drivers should be especially alert for pedestrians, bicyclists and deer near roadways.
Public Works Administration Operations Manager Shannon Truax says the time change coincides with periods when deer are most active, increasing the risk of vehicle collisions. Drivers are encouraged to stay vigilant, particularly at dawn and dusk, and watch for deer along roadsides where they can suddenly enter traffic.
Officials note that South Dakota ranks among the states with the highest rates of deer-vehicle collisions in the nation.
Residents who encounter dead deer or other animals along city roadways are asked to contact the Rapid City non-emergency dispatch line so they can be removed safely.
City leaders say a little extra awareness behind the wheel can help prevent accidents as the region adjusts to shorter days and longer nights.
