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