A Sept. 4 press release from Alberta RCMP said shorter days and a change in the weather mean more wildlife on the province’s roadways, leading to more accidents and more potential for serious damage to vehicles or injuries to the occupants.
Superintendent Howard Eaton of the Alberta RCMP Traffic Services said there were 446 animal strikes on Alberta roads reported to RCMP in August 2014.
With 752 reported in September 2013 and 1,116 in October 2013, Eaton said he expects the numbers in the coming months to increase.
“It’s mating season,” Eaton said. “They’re looking for mates and travelling around, and they’re also looking for food sources because they’re trying to get fattened up for the winter.”
If you do hit an animal, Eaton said to make sure the road is safe for motorists following in your path, including calling the local highway maintenance company to have the animal’s body removed.
Eaton said there is no centralized number for the highway maintenance companies, to his knowledge.
“You see the sign on the side of the road that has the (highway maintenance company) number on it, or call 911,” Eaton said.
“If the animal’s on the road and you can’t move it, we don’t want to get someone killed, so that’s not an inappropriate use of the (911) service.”
Striking an animal can be extremely dangerous, according to Eaton.
“Obviously we do get people hurt from striking animals. Bigger animals can cause significant injuries,” Eaton said.
“I think your survival rate is better by staying on the highway than it is going off into the ditch and trying to avoid the animal.
“Brake firmly if an animal is in the vehicle’s path, and do not swerve to avoid it.”
The Government of Alberta provides motorists with tips to make the chance of striking an animal less likely on the website, saferoads.com, including:
• Scan the road and ditches ahead for animals, especially when travelling at dawn or dusk; • Slow down in a curve, when reaching the crest of a hill or in wildlife-populated areas; • Watch for the shining eyes or silhouette of an animal at night and use high beams; • Improve visibility by keeping the vehicle’s windshield and headlights clean; • Slow down if an animal is on or near the road and be prepared to stop as their behaviour can be unpredictable; • Look for more than one animal as some travel in groups; • Honk in a series of short bursts to chase animals away; • Leave a lot of room when driving around an animal on or near the road as a frightened animal may run in any direction; and • Watch for wildlife warning signs, use extra caution and slow down in areas where animal crossing signs are posted.
Eaton said drivers should report all collisions to their insurance company and to RCMP.
If the animal is injured or poses a threat to public safety, drivers must also report the incident to the nearest Sustainable Resource Development office.
A list of phone numbers and resources is available at esrd.alberta.ca or by calling, toll-free, 310-0000.
