To reduce the chances of having a wildlife vehicle collision?
If they encounter wildlife on the road?
If a crash is inevitable?
If they do hit an animal?
What do those signs really mean? A Wildlife Warning Sign is a yellow diamond shaped sign. The sign warns of a hazard ahead, and advises drivers to be cautious. The sign does not require drivers to slow down to a particular speed, unless there is an adjacent speed limit sign posted as well. BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure collects and interprets data on collision locations and places signs in areas of frequent wildlife use or high collision risk locations. Drivers must obey wildlife warning signs and any associated speed changes. The signs are located in high wildlife use areas. Drivers must not disregard the signs even if they have been seen many times before. Driver complacency is dangerous.
What do those signs really mean?
A Wildlife Warning Sign is a yellow diamond shaped sign. The sign warns of a hazard ahead, and advises drivers to be cautious. The sign does not require drivers to slow down to a particular speed, unless there is an adjacent speed limit sign posted as well.
BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure collects and interprets data on collision locations and places signs in areas of frequent wildlife use or high collision risk locations.
Drivers must obey wildlife warning signs and any associated speed changes. The signs are located in high wildlife use areas. Drivers must not disregard the signs even if they have been seen many times before. Driver complacency is dangerous.
Speed is one of the most common factors in vehicle collisions. Speed: Reduces the drivers ability to steer away from objects in the roadway Extends the distance required to stop Increases the force of impact, in the event of a collision With good road conditions, drivers tend to increase their speed. Some studies suggest that wildlife vehicle collisions occur more than expected on clear nights, on dry road conditions and on long straight stretches. Drivers may tend to be more cautious on curves or in poor weather By maintaining the posted speed, drivers can compensate for increased risk.
Speed is one of the most common factors in vehicle collisions. Speed:
With good road conditions, drivers tend to increase their speed. Some studies suggest that wildlife vehicle collisions occur more than expected on clear nights, on dry road conditions and on long straight stretches. Drivers may tend to be more cautious on curves or in poor weather
By maintaining the posted speed, drivers can compensate for increased risk.
Drivers and passengers should actively watch for:
wildlife - on the road, in the ditch, on the shoulder, and in the right of way movement on or alongside the road shining eyes, which will be your head lights reflecting off the animal's eyes. NOTE: Moose are so tall that their eyes are normally above the beams of most vehicle head lights, and so are less likely to reflect the light Flickering head lights of oncoming cars or tail lights of the vehicles in front of you - which may be an animal crossing the road Roadside reflectors that disappear/reappear, which might indicate an animal crossing in front of them Watch out between dusk and dawn. Light levels are low, and animals are active. Anecdotally, there seems to be some evidence that animals that approach from the right side are avoided more successfully than animals that approach from the left, as drivers head lights illuminate that portion of the road better, and drivers pay close attention to the right hand side of the road and the ditch - so remember to pay equal attention to both the right and left hand sides of the road. Think about the landscape that you are driving through. Is it good habitat for wildlife? Studies show that problem locations are where creeks intersect roads, areas where there is good roadside habitat nearby, and long straight stretches (because people tend to speed up).
Anecdotally, there seems to be some evidence that animals that approach from the right side are avoided more successfully than animals that approach from the left, as drivers head lights illuminate that portion of the road better, and drivers pay close attention to the right hand side of the road and the ditch - so remember to pay equal attention to both the right and left hand sides of the road.
Think about the landscape that you are driving through. Is it good habitat for wildlife? Studies show that problem locations are where creeks intersect roads, areas where there is good roadside habitat nearby, and long straight stretches (because people tend to speed up).
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If smaller animals such as deer are in your way - think carefully. Is it safe to swerve? Do not take unsafe evasive actions. Serious accidents can occur when drivers lose control of their vehicles trying to avoid an animal. Always reduce your speed in signed areas. Driving at a slower speed may mean it is not necessary to swerve at all. Swerving can take you into the path of an oncoming vehicle or into the ditch. If a deer is in your way, consider using your brakes, not your wheel. If you have to choose between swerving or striking a moose, consider swerving. A collision with a moose, which can weigh up to 500 kgs (1200 lbs), carries a significant risk of injury or death to motorists and passengers. If a crash with a moose is inevitable, crouch as low as possible in your seat, or under the dash, as a moose's body usually ends up crushing the roof of a car completely flat.
If smaller animals such as deer are in your way - think carefully. Is it safe to swerve?
Do not take unsafe evasive actions. Serious accidents can occur when drivers lose control of their vehicles trying to avoid an animal. Always reduce your speed in signed areas. Driving at a slower speed may mean it is not necessary to swerve at all. Swerving can take you into the path of an oncoming vehicle or into the ditch.
If a deer is in your way, consider using your brakes, not your wheel.
If you have to choose between swerving or striking a moose, consider swerving. A collision with a moose, which can weigh up to 500 kgs (1200 lbs), carries a significant risk of injury or death to motorists and passengers. If a crash with a moose is inevitable, crouch as low as possible in your seat, or under the dash, as a moose's body usually ends up crushing the roof of a car completely flat.
Electronic Stability Control ("ESC") helps you maintain control of your vehicle in emergency avoidance manoeuvres such as swerving around wildlife. ESC detects and corrects loss of vehicle control. If you skid, ESC works together with your antilock braking system and automatically applies braking to the correct wheel to help you regain control. ESC reacts instantly, often correcting your direction before you know you are skidding.
Seat belts and air bags help people survive crashes. However, the safest vehicle is the one that does not crash. ESC is profoundly effective in preventing crashes. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) states in a news release on June 13, 2006 that ESC reduces the risk of:
ESC is now standard on 2012 and later models and is sold under many trade names such as Electronic Stability Program, Vehicle Skid Control, Vehicle Stability Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Stabilitrak, Advance Trac, and others. ESC works in cars, vans, SUV's, pickup trucks, buses, commercial trucks, and tractor trailers. ESC helps you avoid wildlife and unexpected road hazards. ESC works on snow, ice, rain, gravel, or dry pavement. ESC is most effective in preventing serious crashes; the loss of control and rollover situations that maim or kill people. ESC helps keep you on the road and other drivers in their own lane. Many experts worldwide describe ESC as "the most important auto safety innovation since seat belts." Check out Electronic Stability Control the next time you buy a new vehicle.
For more information on Electronic Stability Control, the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety website may be useful.
As of September 1, 2011, Canada requires all new passenger vehicles (trucks, cars, and vans up to 10,000 lbs) to have Electronic Stability Control.
More detailed information on animal behaviour is found on The Wildlife Factor page. Please have a look there.
In certain conditions, there is no real choice except to strike the animal. If it appears impossible to avoid the animal:
In certain conditions, there is no real choice except to strike the animal.
If it appears impossible to avoid the animal:
This depends on the type and condition of the road, the amount of traffic, the type of animal, and the condition of the driver.
Injured animals are very dangerous.
Dead Deer, Highway 97, Prince George BC Photo courtesy of Jim Hesse
You may choose to remove a dead animal from the road so that it does not present a hazard to other drivers.
Only remove the animal if it is safe to do so, and you are physically capable of doing so.
When reporting a wildlife vehicle collision, be ready to provide a clear description of the problem, and as much location information as you can. Knowing where a collision is located on a rural highway can be difficult. Don’t hesitate to call, even if you are not very familiar with the area, because you can you can still provide useful information.
Think about these details before you call.
Accurate reporting of the collision location is important so that highway managers can identify areas where wildlife collisions are frequent and then take steps to reduce any hazards located in those areas.
Note: If the collision involved small domestic animals (dogs or cats) you can contact the BC SPCA hotline at 1-855-622-7722. The BC SPCA does not provide animal control services in all communities in BC, but the Call Centre operators do have access to animal control agency numbers throughout BC or they may be able to provide some assistance over the telephone.
Click here to view and/or print an FAQ list about wildlife vehicle collision prevention