WILDLIFE COLLISIONPREVENTION PROGRAM
Protect People and Wildlife
The Facts
Slow Downbuy yourself time to react to wildlife on the road
Watch for Wildlife Warning Signsthey mark high risk collision locations
Use Your Vehicleclean your headlights, use high beams, wear seatbelts
While Drivingscan continuously and actively watch for wildlife
www.wildlifecollisions.ca
photo: Ginevre Smith
Wildlife vehicle collisions result in significantpersonal, environmental, and economic losses
In a typical year in BC5 people are killed
450 people are injured6,100 animals are killed
18,300 wildlife deaths go unrecorded as the animal moves away from the road to die
$33 million is spent by ICBC on 9,900 insurance claims$700,000 is spent on highway cleanup and
carcass removalSource: ICBC, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and RCMP
• Pull off the road and stop safely
• Do not approach injured animals; they are dangerous
• You may not remove dead animals without a permit
• Report dead or injured animals to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1.877.952.7277
• Notify the RCMP if there is vehicle damage over $1,000
If a Collision Occurs
You Can Help
Your tax-deductible donation will support wildlife vehiclecollision research, project implementation, and public education
To donate online, go to www.wildlifecollisions.ca
and click on the Giving Opportunities linkat the bottom of the page
Please make cheques payable to:British Columbia Conservation FoundationRegistered Charity #123042822R001
Please mail cheques to:British Columbia Conservation FoundationWildlife Collision Prevention Program#200, 1383 McGill RoadKamloops, BC, Canada V2C 6K7
Thank You For Your Support
British ColumbiaConservationFoundation
photo: Jim Hesse
08/14 15,000
Reduce speed in areas with wildlife warning signs
SPEED reduces your ability to steer away from objects
SPEED extends the distance required to stop your vehicle
SPEED increases the force of impact if there is a collision
Reducing your speed from 100 kph to 80 kph gives 30 extra metres to stop – that’s several car lengths
When the driving conditions are good (long straight stretches, clear nights, and dry roads) resist the tendency to speed up
Wildlife collisions occur more often than expected in good conditions
To Swerve or Not To Swerve?Do not take unsafe evasive actions
Use your brakes, not your wheel
Driving slower may mean that it is not necessary to swerve at all
Wildlife BehaviourAll animals are unpredictable
Animals blinded by headlights may be reluctant to move – flash your headlights and be patient
Deer and some other animals travel in groups, so watch for animals following behind the first one
Time of YearSpring: early plant growth near roads attracts wildlife
Summer: drought and forest fires affect animal movement
Autumn: wildlife is very active during mating season
Winter: road salt and better forage in the valley bottoms attracts wildlife to the road, and snow hinders movement
Peak Times For CollisionsDawn (5 to 8 am) -- 17% of all wildlife collisions
Dusk (5 to 11 pm) -- 46% of all wildlife collisions
SpeciesDeer: 80% of all wildlife collisions involve deer, which often travel in groups and have unpredictable behaviour
Moose: 7% of all wildlife collisions involve moose and significant human injury or death can result
photo: Carson Newbyphoto: Roy V. Rea
photo: Ginevre Smithphoto: Janice Klassen
Slow Down The Wildlife Factor