The big, powerful, cool-looking cats don’t just eat deer; they convince them to stop hanging around roads in the first place. According to the study, researchers analyzed years of camera trap footage and wildlife collision data from Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, where black-tailed deer are responsible for the overwhelming majority of wildlife-related crashes. When deer know there’s a predatory puma around, they avoid open roads and cut down on nighttime wandering to keep themselves safe, thereby keeping drivers safe. Your mountain lions deserve a little appreciation for keeping your local roads safe. The post Why Mountain Lions Could Make Roads Safer for Drivers, According to Researchers appeared first on VICE.