October 28, 2011

Give Wildlife a “Brake”

Tips for safe driving save wildlife

The Humane Society of the United States

With the “fall-back” of daylight savings time, it is more important than ever for drivers to slow down and be aware of wildlife activity.

Roads and highways divide wildlife habitats, forcing animals to attempt to cross roads to find mates, locate and store food for the coming winter, and move to winter hibernation sites.

This awareness can help curb the potentially fatal effects of low visibility driving conditions on both wildlife and drivers.

Human safety

At this time of year, many wild animals, including deer, are very active. In fact, October through December appear to be peak months for deer/vehicle crashes. The outcome can be deadly for animals and people alike, and at least one report suggests that young adults ages 15 – 24 have the highest injury rate of any age group from collisions with large animals. Collisions involving deer command the most attention, but other accidents regularly occur as drivers attempt to avoid smaller animals, as well.

Safe driving tips to save lives—both human and wildlife

• Slow down. Many animals needlessly become victims simply because people drive too fast to avoid hitting them. Speed poses a risk to human safety as well.
• Watch for wildlife in and near the road at dawn, dusk, and in the first few hours after darkness. 
• Be cautious on two-lane roads bordered by woods or fields, or where streams cross under roads. Most animal/vehicle collisions occur on these roads. Slow down to 45 mph or less. 
• Even on a limited access highway, watch for wildlife.
• Scan the road as you drive, watching the edges for wildlife about to cross. This will also make you more aware of other hazards such as bicyclists, children at play, and slowly moving vehicles. 
• Don’t throw trash out car windows. Discarded food pollutes the environment and creates a hazard by attracting wildlife to the roads. 
• If you see an animal crossing the road, slow down. Where there is one animal, there are probably others—young animals following their mother or male animals pursuing a female.
• Use your high beams whenever possible.
• Lower your dashboard lights slightly. You'll be more likely to see your headlights reflected in the eyes of animals in time to brake.

What to do if you injure an animal.

• Do not put your own safety at risk. Unless you can move the animal from the road in absolute safety, do not attempt to do so. Use your hazard lights or emergency road flares to warn oncoming traffic of the injured animal. Never attempt to handle a large animal, like a deer, or one that could give a serious bite, like a raccoon.
• Call someone with the proper training and equipment. When you need assistance, call the non-emergency number of the local police department (program the phone number into your cell phone, if you have one) and describe the animal's location. Emphasize that the injured animal is a traffic hazard to help ensure that someone will come quickly. Stay in the area until help arrives.
• Use heavy gloves to protect yourself or avoid direct handling if you try to rescue a small animal yourself. Remember that the animal doesn't know you are trying to help and may bite or scratch in self-defense. An old towel is helpful if you need to move an injured animal.
• Gently coax or place the animal into a cardboard box and transport him/her to a shelter, wildlife rehabilitator, or a receptive veterinarian. If there is a delay, keep the animal in a dark, warm, quiet place to minimize fear and stress.
• If you accidentally kill an animal, try to move the animal off the road—providing you can do so in complete safety. Otherwise, report the location of the animal's body to the local police department, and it will arrange for removal. This will prevent scavengers from being attracted onto the road and eliminate a potential traffic hazard.

A final thought

Though fencing, underpasses, specially designed culverts, and other crossing structures help wildlife safely navigate the roads, there are not nearly enough of these devices on U.S. roads. And there will never be enough to replace the need for informed and cautious drivers who are willing to slow down—just a little—to reduce the chances of hitting an animal, and injuring themselves.