Northern BC Collisions

Wildlife Collisions in Northern BC

Data

On average, between 2013 and 2017, ICBC handled approximately 2,900 crashes involving animals in the north central region of British Columbia. There is a distinct peak time for collisions which occurs between October and December, with a smaller peak in May through July.  

Wildlife Accident Reporting System data from 2003-2007 (Sielecki, L., 2010. WARS 1988-2007: Special Annual Report, BC Ministry of Transportation) shows that in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's Northern Region, an average of 1144 animals are recorded as killed every year. 

There are many animals that are hit by vehicles and move away from the road to die and therefore are not recorded on official MoT totals. Using the MoT estimates (Sielecki, L., 2010. WARS 1988-2007: Special Annual Report, BC Ministry of Transportation) of 1 recorded dead animal to 3 unrecorded dead animals, in northern BC, there are likely in excess of 4,500 animals killed per year due to collisions with vehicles. 

On the highways within the Fort George Highway District (closest to Prince George), WARS data shows that out of the total number of animals recorded,  38% of animals killed are deer , and 45% of animals killed are moose (Sielecki, L., 2010. WARS 1988-2007: Special Annual Report, BC Ministry of Transportation). The remainder are bear, elk, porcupine, coyote, beaver, wolf, and fox.

WVC Risk Patterns by Northern BC Community

October is the begging of the high risk fall season for WVCs in north central BC. The following communities should be extra vigilant on the roads starting in the months listed in the tables.

This information comes from an analysis of ICBC animal collision data from 1967-2005 Using Collision Data, GPS Technology and Expert Opinion to Develop Strategic Countermeasure Recomendations for Reducing Animal-Vehicle Collisions in Northern Britsh Columbia. 2006. Road Health-University Wildlife Collision Mitigation Research Team. Unpublished Report. Prince George, BC. 145 p.   

Additional analysis of ICBC animal collision records from 2006-2010 can be found in Evaluating ICBC Animal–Vehicle Crash Statistics (2006-2010) for purposes of collision mitigation in northern British Columbia. Prepared for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia by Shannon O’Keefe and Roy V. Rea. 2012. Unpublished report, Prince George BC.