Animal Avoidance training

1. What can you the driver do:
 To reduce the chances of having a
wildlife vehicle collision?
 If you encounter wildlife on the
road?
 If a crash is inevitable?
 If you have a collision with
wildlife?

2. To reduce the chances of having a wildlife
Vehicle collision?
Watch for the signs:
 A wildlife warning sign is a yellow
 diamond shaped sign. The sign warns of a
 hazard ahead and advises drivers to be
 cautious. The sign does not require drivers to
 slow down to a particular speed unless there is
 an adjacent speed limit sign posted as well.

3. Reduce Speed:
Speed is one of the most common factors in vehicle
collisions.
Speed:
 Reduces the driver's ability to steer away from objects on
the roadway.
 Extends the distance required to stop.
 Increases the force of impact, in the event of a collision.

4. Think “What If”:
 Mental preparation is a useful tool.
 Think about and predict what you might do if an
animal suddenly darted out in front of you or ran
towards your vehicle.
 It is better to think about and learn how to avoid an
encounter with wildlife, then have to react to a
dangerous situation when you are unprepared?

5.  Drive Defensively - Drivers should actively watch for Wildlife on the
road, in the shoulders, and in the right of way.
 Movement on or alongside of the road.
 Shining eyes, which will be your head lights reflecting off the animals
eyes.
 Note Moose are so tall that their eyes are normally above the beams
of most vehicles head lights, and so are less likely to be seen.
 Flickering head lights of oncoming vehicles or tail lights of the
vehicle in front of you- which may be an animal crossing the road.
 Roadside reflectors that disappear/reappear, which might indicate
and animal crossing in front of them.
Watch out between dusk and dawn. Light levels are low, and animals
are active.

6. Think about the landscape that you are driving
through.
Is it good habitat for wildlife? Studies show that
problem locations are where creeks intersect
roads, areas where there is a good roadside
habitat nearby, and along straight stretches
where drivers tend to speed up.

7. If you encounter wildlife on the road?
Steer Clear - If smaller animals such as a deer are in your way- think
carefully. Is it save to swerve?
Do not take unsafe evasive actions, serious accidents can occur
when drivers lose control of their vehicle trying to avoid an animal.
Always reduce your speed in signed areas. Driving at a slower speed
may mean it is not necessary to swerve at all. Swerving can take you
into the path of an oncoming vehicle or into the ditch.
If a deer is in your way, consider using your brakes , not your wheel.

8. Animals that approach from the right side
are avoided more successfully than animals
that are approached from the left, as drivers
head lights illuminate that portion of the
road better and drivers pay closer attention
to the right side of the road more then the
left.
So, remember to pay equal attention to both
sides of the road.

9. If you have to choose between swerving or
hitting a moose, if it is safe to do so,
consider swerving.
A collision with a moose ,which can weigh
up to 500Kg carries a significant risk of life
or death to the driver.

10. What if a crash is Inevitable?
 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 go 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 then 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 reduce
the chances of the animal coming through the
windshield.

11. If you have a collision with wildlife?
This depends on the type and condition of the road, the amount
of traffic, type of animal, and the condition of the driver.
 Pull off the road.
 Turn on hazards and set up triangles.
 If possible illuminate the animal with your head lights.
 You may choose to carefully approach the animal to determine if
it is dead or injured.
 If it is injured back off. You are not required to put an injured
animal out of its misery.
Injured animals are very dangerous!
 Remove dead animals for road way only if it is safe to do so,
you are physically capable of doing so.

12.  Report incident to dispatcher
 RCMP should be notified if damage over $1000.00 or any human injuries.
 Call the conservation Officer Service if there is a dead or injured animal to
report.
In BC. 1-877-952-7277
In AB. 1-800-642-3800
 If in a National Park, contact the Park Wardens. Even if your vehicle is not
damaged, reporting the exact location helps wardens monitor injured
animals and recover dead ones. Quick removal prevents other animals form
being attracted to the highway.

13. Additional Tips:
 Keeps lights and windshield clean.
Wear your seat belt at all times.
Honk your horn, engage exhaust brake or flash lights to
scare animal off the road. Note: this may scare deer off the
road, but does not usually work on moose.
Use high beams when it is safe to do so, and scan the road
ahead with quick glances.
At night use the high beams of the vehicle in front of you
to extend your effective sight distance.

14. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The best Animal
Avoidance plan is
preventing the collision
from occurring.
Always drive defensively.