Why Texas Roads are More Dangerous During Full Moons

What if I were to tell you that there was an ancient curse from the middle ages where a proclaimed witch doomed travelers under a full moon? Okay, that's not true, but it sure sounds cool.

The real reason that traveling during a full moon is riskier than normal is slightly less mystical. It turns out that wildlife is what causes the increased danger. To be more specific, a study from Texas A&M revealed a near-46% increase in vehicle collisions involving animals during full moons.

Why are Animals More Active During Full Moons?

Wildlife depend on and interpret moonlight differently than us boring humans. For instance, the African dung beetle uses the moon to determine their path when transporting their... goods.

Also, nocturnal predators are able to see more clearly on full moon nights, increasing their presence and hunting behaviors.

MYTH: Wolves howl during full moons. I mean, they probably do, but it's not the moon that causes them to do this. Wolves howl all the time for communication within their pack when they hunt at night.

Texas A&M's study also highlighted that nighttime driving is, in and of itself, generally more dangerous than daytime driving for a variety of factors like driver fatigue and limited visibility.

They conclude the study by pushing for improvements on Texas roads that could mitigate these risks while driving under a full moon. They mention that road reflectors and signs that warn of increased wildlife presence could assist in these ventures.