COLLISION COURSE
INCIDENTS BETWEEN ANIMALS AND VEHICLES ON THE RISE
No matter what region of the country you drive in, you’re bound to encounter some form of wildlife in your travels.
When a four-footer — or a winged resident — crosses your path, lives and vehicle safety often are at risk.
And as the warm weather continues into fall, it pays to increase your attention to what may appear from the side of the road and to take precautions to prevent a collision.
There is no doubt that animal/auto (AA) collisions are on the rise.
As human populations and related development grow, displacing wildlife habitats, so does the risk of AA collisions. While they can occur at any time of the year, the overwhelming majority of collisions happen in June, July and August.
They can happen on any type of road, but they occur most often on two-lane undivided highways.
While human fatalities are rare, personal injuries often result and animal deaths are almost always the case in AA collisions, as is vehicle damage. Many provinces and jurisdictions have mitigation systems in place and continue to experiment with new technology.
As well, automakers are making it easier to avoid such collisions, such as Audi’s advancements in lighting technology or Volvo’s long-standing dedication to safety.
Infrared and radar sensors connected to illuminated road signs are one of the newest weapons in this ongoing battle. The sensors scan for heat signals related to animal movement and warn drivers of increased risk.
New Brunswick has probably taken the largest measure by erecting 12-foot fencing along the Trans-Canada Highway, with one-way turnstile gates to keep large animals out and to provide them with a safe exit if they do get through.
The province has also adopted the practice of clear-cutting roadside vegetation in a very wide path on either side of the roadway to give drivers more visibility.
Being aware of your environment and adjusting your speed accordingly is undoubtedly the best way to reduce the risks associated with AA collisions. Animals, like us, need food and water, so if you’re driving in a farming area or down a road with thick green vegetation nearby, you’re likely travelling in an animal zone.
Housing developments with large lush green lawns and accessible garbage bins make great wildlife food sources.
Continually scanning the roadside ahead is a good idea, but keep in mind that most of our furry friends are experts at blending in with their surroundings, so don’t expect them to stick out visually.
Slowing down when you spot an animal on the road is your best defence. Sudden swerves or avoidance manoeuvres may lead to loss of vehicle control.
If your choice is colliding with an animal, an oncoming vehicle or hitting the ditch, the odds may not be in your favour with the latter two. And don’t depend on your airbags, as the mass of most animals and their smaller point of impact may not set off supplemental restraint devices.
Be prepared for a guest in the passenger cabin. When striking a deer, elk or moose, most vehicles with low front profiles can cause the animal to travel back onto the hood with little loss in speed.
This can lead to a strong enough impact to shatter the windshield and collapse it inward, providing an easy entry into the front seats. This is the cause of many passenger injuries.
When the dust has cleared, follow the normal rules of safety at a collision scene.
Move your vehicle to a safe spot on the roadside and ensure passengers are in a secure location. Administer first aid as needed and use four-way flashers or suitable reflectors to warn oncoming traffic.
Even if the animal appears dead, stay clear. Autonomous muscle movement can cause a leg to strike out with sufficient force to injure.
Resist the emotional urge to dispatch a suffering animal.