Does wildlife-vehicle collision frequency increase on full moon nights? A case-crossover analysis

Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) raise concerns for both human safety and animal welfare. As the literature has reported increased animal-related crash frequency on full moon nights in several regions, we investigated if a similar pattern is observed in Texas. We counted WVC and non-WVC frequencies on full moon nights and new moon nights in Texas between January 2011 and January 2020. Analysis revealed a 45.80% (95% confidence interval (CI): 29.94–61.29%) increase in WVCs on full moon nights compared to new moon nights, with no statistically significant difference for non-WVCs (95% CI: -2.58–1.45%). The association was pronounced in rural areas than in urban areas. It is likely that brighter moonlight is strongly associated with higher WVC rates. The results illuminate the importance of heightened caution for drivers even on bright nights, particularly when driving through areas with high wildlife density.