Most people dread driving sections of highway frequented by wildlife, especially when combined with winter road conditions and night-time driving.  In British Columbia where we are fortunate to have an abundance of wildlife, drivers must take extra precaution when darkness makes it hard to spot wildlife.

Roads and animal travel corridors are often both located in valley bottoms, so there is a high risk of encountering wildlife while driving. A shockingly high number of wildlife are killed on BC highways - approximately 6,100 animals each year. In addition, the Ministry of Transportation estimates that for every animal seen dead on the side of the road, vehicles hit and kill three additional animals, but their deaths are not recorded as they move away from the roads to die. That could total up to 24,400 animals killed by vehicles annually. As well, about six people are killed and 381 people are injured each year in our province.

The most recent Ministry of Transport Wildlife Accident Reporting annual report covers the years 1988 to 2007. In the Okanagan Shuswap Highways District it is estimated that there are approximately 1,832 animal killed by vehicles every year with only one in three reported. About 92 percent are deer, 2 percent bear, and 2 percent coyotes. The remainder includes various species from cougar to moose to skunks. For most of the year about 30 to 40 deer are killed each month, but in November that spikes to about 66 animals killed per month, which is over 2 animals killed per day. Deer are on the move during the rutting season which increases their chances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Of course, a wildlife vehicle collision can happen anywhere, and at anytime, so how can drivers reduce their risk of a wildlife collision? Knowledge about wildlife behaviour is important. Deer are often seen in groups, so if you see one animal there are usually more. The deer you are watching may not be the one that poses the threat; it may be the second or third deer following behind that causes the problem.

Deer are unpredictable in their behaviour and may bolt in front of a vehicle or cross and then immediately re-cross the road. Animals don’t think or perceive danger the same way that humans do. They may not recognize a vehicle as dangerous or a horn as a warning, or even if they do, they may not react safely.

Drivers can do a lot to improve their chances of anticipating and successfully avoiding a wildlife vehicle collision. The key point is to lower your driving speed in areas with posted wildlife warning signs. Both collision avoidance and driver response time are improved at slower speeds. Stay alert and actively watch for wildlife, particularly at dusk and dawn. Resist the tendency to speed up on long straight stretches with good driving conditions, on clear nights and on dry roads. Wildlife collisions occur more often than expected in good conditions.

The Wildlife Collision Prevention Program (WCPP) carries out public awareness projects throughout BC. Watch for informational brochures at the Oliver Visitor Information Centre, signs at rest stop areas, and billboards in traditionally high risk locations for collisions with wildlife. For more information visit www.wildlifecollisions.ca.