We have covered safety tips while driving in areas where deer and other animals frequently cross. Now is the time to put those safety tips to good use, especially if you will be doing a lot of driving this summer. According to recent reports, there has been an increase in moose-related accidents, which has already resulted in a fatality and two injuries this past weekend near Sudbury. In Timmins, Ontario, for example, almost half of the road collisions have involved moose and there were a total of 37 collisions between a vehicle and a moose between April and July alone. According to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, there are four to eight large animal (e.g. moose, bears and deer) vehicle collisions every hour in Canada.

Authorities blame bugs for the upswing. Ontario had a very wet spring this year, and this led to the growth of large insect populations – mosquitoes and black flies in particular. Humans are not the only ones who find such insects to be a nuisance – moose and bear populations also find these bugs annoying. Thus, authorities surmise that moose and bears have more frequently found themselves on roadways and highways in an attempt to escape these insects and be in the open air where fewer insects will “bug” them.

Highway collisions usually occur during nightfall or early morning when moose are more prevalent. It is especially important to use your high beams if driving in a moose populated area during those times.

Moose are very large animals. A collision with a moose often results in death or serious harm to the driver or her passengers. Make sure you take necessary safety precautions, such as paying attention to yellow wildlife signs and driving slowly in areas with a large moose population.

If you end up in a collision with a moose, be sure to report the accident to the police, especially if you or any of your passengers have been injured and/or if there is considerable damage done to your vehicle. If passengers involved in a collision with an animal are injured, the passengers may be able to sue for damages if it can be proven that the driver was at fault. If you have any questions, book a free consultation or call 1-855-446-7765 for immediate assistance. For more information, visit our accident lawyer section.