Skip to content

Police warning of wildlife dangers

“When travelling our roads and highways, we must always be mindful of the wildlife around us, particularly at night, and when their seasonal habits and behaviours result in increased sightings and encounters.
moose on road shutterstock_62239840 2016
Wild animals are on the move in the spring.

OPP are reminding motorists that there is a greater occurrence of wildlife crossings and sightings on our highways, roads and roadsides at this time of year.

Large wildlife such as deer, moose and bears are more mobile in the spring when searching for food and trying to get relief from insects. They are often spotted near or on roads and highways during their travels.

The OPP emphasize some important points when dealing with the sudden emergence of large wildlife onto our highways:

  • It is important to remember that deer and moose crossing signs are only posted where there are frequent sightings and crossings. The reality is that these animals can be seen anywhere at any time, therefore we should never lower our level of awareness even when driving in areas that are absent of these signs.
  • When driving at night, it is important to use your high beams whenever possible.
  • If you do encounter large wildlife such as deer or moose on the road and can safely avoid hitting them, do so, but be absolutely certain that oncoming traffic or soft shoulders don’t put you and others at risk.
  • Do not direct your full attention to the animal when you take measures to avoid hitting it, because you will hit it every time. Instead, focus your attention on the alternate route you decide to take, again only if this manoeuvre doesn’t place you and others in danger.
  • Follow the speed limit.  It is much easier to stop a vehicle that is not going too fast.
  • Scan the shoulders of the highways so an errant moose may be spotted before it makes its way onto the road.  Have any passengers in the vehicle do this also.
  • Be particularly vigilant during the hours of dawn and dusk when moose are harder to see.
  • Be aware of moose crossing signage.  Those signs are strategically placed where more moose are congregating.
  • If a moose is on the highway, pull over to the right onto the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and wait for the animal to move.  Do not honk your horn or scare the moose.
  • If your vehicle is involved in a collision with a moose, phone your local police so both your vehicle and the moose can be removed from the Highway quickly.

Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Rick Witty states, “When travelling our roads and highways, we must always be mindful of the wildlife around us, particularly at night, and when their seasonal habits and behaviours result in increased sightings and encounters. They don’t know better, we do.”