Winter is the peak season for incidents involving animals on our roads, however, in Australia we need to always be mindful of the potential threat posed by animals and livestock.
Kangaroos and wallabies are most commonly involved in accidents involving cars, while wombats and dogs are also a problem.
And who’s to say you couldn’t come around a bend and find a cow or sheep in your path? Or, ever seen an emu at full flight?
AAMI has provided Behind the Wheel with these tips for avoiding animal collisions:
- If you notice road kill, slow down and pay extra attention. It’s an indicator of wildlife in the area.
- If you spot a kangaroo crossing the road, it’s a sign that more roos will be following as they move in groups.
- If you see an animal on the road, slow down and brake, but avoid swerving so as not to endanger yourself and other drivers on the road. It’s far less dangerous to keep driving and damage your vehicle than swerve to avoid it and collide with another vehicle or tree.
- If you’re involved in a collision with an animal, stop to check its welfare, but only if it is safe to do so. If the animal is alive and injured call your local wildlife rescue service. If it’s a dead kangaroo or wallaby, check if it is a female and if there’s a joey(s) in her pouch or around her.
- Drive slowly and be extra vigilant when driving at dawn or dusk as this is when animals are most active.
- Use your peripheral vision and be aware of your surroundings, especially when travelling through forest or grassland areas where animals are not clearly visible.
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