(Photo credit: Hash Milhan/Creative Commons)
When we see cars on the road as a pedestrian or a cyclist, we know the proper way to react is to wait until they’ve passed before we cross. Unfortunately, animals don’t have the same reactions.
Drivers need to know how to safely react when it comes to seeing an animal on the road. You might come across a smaller animal while driving in the city or a larger animal while on a rural highway.
In 2014, there were 11,466 animal-related collisions, which accounted for 15.4 per cent of the total motor vehicle collisions in Ontario, according to the OPP. There were two fatal collisions, in which two people died. This is an improvement from the year before, where animal-related collisions represented 16.1 per cent of motor vehicle collisions and there were six fatalities from six fatal crashes. Drivers should make sure they know how to react when they see an animal on the road.
Last December, a Quebec driver was sentenced to 90 days in prison, along with 240 hours of community service and a ten-year ban on driving, after she stopped on a highway to rescue ducklings, which led to two deaths. In 2010, the 26-year-old stopped her car on the left side of a highway to assist a group of ducks to cross the road. A 50-year-old father and his 16-year-old daughter were riding a motorcycle that hit the back of the car and they died from the impact. The driver was later charged with two counts of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing death. In early January, the Quebec driver appealed the sentence.
In 2012, the Ontario government built its first wildlife overpass near Sudbury to provide another route for animals near Highway 69. There’s a section of the highway that sees many animal-related collisions with large animals, such as white-tailed deer, elk, moose and black bears. The province is also looking into installing between five to ten wildlife tunnels to help prevent collisions, according to CBC News.
When you drive on the highway, it’s common that you see signs warning of deer crossings ahead. But how can you help prevent animal-related collisions?
Be aware of any signs If you spot a sign with an animal picture, take note and remain alert. Your reaction to this situation could save you from a car accident.
Slow down Animal-related collisions are more likely to happen during a clear night with dry road conditions and on long stretches of straight road, according to Workplace Safety North. Drivers tend to speed during these conditions, which affects their ability to react to an unexpected situation.
Be a defensive driver Always be on the lookout for any wildlife or movement on the side of the road while driving. Pay attention to both sides of the road and if you see flickering from any oncoming traffic, it could be a warning of an animal crossing the road.
Know what your options are When you spot wildlife, your gut reaction may be to swerve, but this could put you in danger since you could land in a ditch or hit oncoming traffic. Depending the size of the animal, such as a deer, it might be safer to brake, while if a moose is in front of you, it might be safer to swerve. Also, if a deer is in front of you, you could honk your horn or flash your lights to scare it off the road, while these tactics won’t work on a moose. If it’s a smaller animal, such as a squirrel, you’re surrounded by traffic and it’s dangerous to stop, the unfortunate fact is that you should just hit the animal. If there isn’t traffic around you, you should be able to slow down and try stopping in a straight line.
Be mentally prepared It’s easier for you to react a situation after you’ve played out how you plan to react in your head compared to reacting on the fly. If you frequently take long trips, it’s important to think about what you would do if a deer walked onto the road. Also, know what you should do if there’s no way to avoid the animal. If a crash is unavoidable, you should crouch as low as you can in your seat and aim for the direction the animal came from rather than where it is headed. This way, you may hit the animal at an angle, which reduces the impact. Right before you’re about to hit the animal, lessen the amount of pressure on the brakes since this way you’ll reduce the chances of the animal crashing through the windshield. You should also have your seatbelt on at all times.
If you do hit an animal, follow the same procedure as you would if you’re involved in any other motor vehicle collision.
Motor vehicle accidents happen and accident benefits are available to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident regardless of who caused the accident. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been dealing with all accident related issues throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We know how to get you the compensation that you deserve and get your life back in order after being in a car accident. Call us at 416-920-4242, set up a free consultation, and come speak with us.