Higher risk of wildlife-vehicle collision in November: AMA

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – With the clocks falling back and dusk arriving an hour earlier, watch out for wild animals along the roads and highways.

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) is reminding you November is the peak month for wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Of those collisions, about 80 per cent involve deer, which are especially active this time of year as mating season gets underway.

“A collision with a large animal can seriously harm both a vehicle and its occupants,” said Ryan Lemont, Manager of AMA Driver Education. “Using extra caution and actively scanning when you’re on the highway, in rural areas, or driving at dusk will greatly reduce your risk.”

In Alberta, wildlife-vehicle collisions are second only to hail as the leading cause of damage claims to cars and trucks.

They’re also the most expensive, with the average claim topping $8,000 making the average costs around $280-million a year.

“Every hour, four to eight wildlife collisions occur across Canada. And in Alberta alone, they account for half of all crashes on rural highways,” said Lemont. “The more people can take defensive measures, the better we can protect drivers and animals alike.”