Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week

How to drive safely around wildlife

The Canadian Automobile Association claims that "In Ontario alone, one out of every 17 motor-vehicle collisions involves wildlife, and that number is on the rise due to climate change, human encroachment and an increase in some wildlife populations."

These collisions between cars and wild animals can result in serious vehicle damage, personal injury or even death.

1) Expect the wildlife to be unpredictable

Tosh Gierek, Wildlife Management Coordinator with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says “While animal behaviour can be unpredictable, there are some precautions you can take while driving to help you steer clear of wildlife on the road.”

2) Watch for wildlife-warning road signs. 

These signs are posted where a history of wildlife collisions has occurred so reduce your speed.

Drive as if you might encounter wildlife on the road at any moment

      • do not turn your interior lights 

      • dim your instrument (speedometer, etc..) lights as low as possible

     • slow down when passing around any landforms or structures that animals could run out from behind

      • slow down around sharp turns

      • if driving at night, use high beams whenever possible

     • scan the road ahead for any kind of movement from shoulder-to-shoulder

      • watch for the glow of eyes

3) Exercise extra caution at dusk and dawn. 

Peak collision times are 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., when deer and moose are most active. “They stay relatively low-key during the day, sleep at night and move to and from their nighttime bedding areas,” Gierek explains.

4) Be mindful of the fall mating and migration season. 

Many animals look for mates in the autumn, thus they tend to travel and cross roads more frequently. Seasonal migration also means more critters are on the move.

Peak times for collision in Ontario are the months of  May, June, October, November and December

5) Reduce speed and stay alert. 

6) If you spot wildlife while you’ re driving, slow down and pass carefully as precaution.

7) If you see one animal, expect more.

As most animals travel in groups, driving slowly will give you the chance to stop in case other animals decide to follow.

8)  Brake for moose. 

A 1,000 kg moose making contact with your vehicle might as well be a brick wall.

These animals may escape the path of a vehicle by running along the road—a serious hazard for other drivers. 

If you encounter a moose while driving, if safe to do so, pull over to the curb,  otherwise slow down to a very low speed until the animal leaves the road.

9) Stay in control. 

If wildlife is crossing or standing on the road, brake firmly. 

Do not assume an animal will move out of the way. Also, never swerve suddenly as this could cause your vehicle to veer out of  control or head into oncoming traffic.  

          10 ) What if a Crash is Inevitable?

If it appears impossible to avoid the animal:

  • Aim for the spot the animal is coming from, not where it is going.

     
  • Look where you want to go, not at the animal. You tend to drive where you look - if you are looking at the animal, that is where the vehicle tends to go.

  • If you must hit something, try for a glancing blow rather than a head-on hit.

  • Brake firmly and quickly, then look, and steer your vehicle to strike the animal at an angle.

  • Let up on the brake just before you hit the animal. This causes the front end of your vehicle to rise and reduces the chances of the animal coming through your windshield.


Sources and for more information  
http://www.wildlifeaccidents.ca/hints.htm 
http://caaneo.ca/about/blog/driving/tips-for-avoiding-wildlife-collisions   
http://www.caamagazine.ca/caadvice_articledetail.aspx?ContentId=988


Picture of the Week

Hopefully this nevers happens to any of you, or anyone who is dear to your heart.