Collisions with animals on the road, especially large animals like moose and deer can be dangerous for both the animal and the vehicle occupants. The following tips and precautions can help you stay safe on the road while also protecting animals.
Know the times of day and year when the risk of collisions increases.
- Deer collisions tend to occur most often during the migrating, mating, and hunting season between October and December.
- Moose collisions tend to be prominent during the fall breeding season, September and October, and in the spring when younger moose begin to venture out on their own.
- Generally speaking, deer and moose are often active at dawn and dusk.
Drive with care.
- Scan roadside edges for large animals as you drive.
- Dim your dashboard lights at night and take advantage of your high beams when no vehicles are approaching. Look above the direct line of your headlights, as moose are very tall.
- Pay close attention to wildlife crossing signs. These signs are placed in high accident and frequent crossing areas.
React with care.
- Slow down and be alert if you see an animal cross the road, as others may soon follow. This is especially true with deer.
- If you spot an animal on the side of the road, turn on your flashers to warn other drivers. Be sure to pass with caution so as not to startle the animal.
- If an animal is in the road, try not to swerve. Instead, brake firmly and sound your horn. If you must change your path, only do so when you can maintain control. (Many wildlife-related automotive accidents are caused not by actual collisions with wildlife, but rather by attempts to avoid them.)
Encourage your community to take preventative measures.
- Post moose-crossing signs in high accident and frequent crossing areas.
- Air public service announcements during times when moose are on the move.
- Reduce speed limits.
- Erect high fences or extend existing fences bordering major highways.
- Increase fines for littering and enforce existing laws. Litter attracts animals to roadsides.
- If road salt is attracting moose and other animals to roadsides, clean it up and/or place salt licks further away from the road for the moose.
- Mandate that all driver education courses include information on collisions with animals and safe driving methods for prevention.
- Keep current with developing technologies and implement them when available. For example, some of the new technologies being developed include laser devices, mirrors, collision avoidance sensors, and new headlight technology.
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