Australian drivers are heading into the deadliest season for wildlife collisions and insurers say that instinct is part of the problem. New data from insurer AAMI shows more than 24,000 wildlife collision claims were lodged across Australia in 2025, with the carnage concentrated in the winter months of May, June and July. The numbers paint a sobering picture: over 4,500 vehicles written off, average claim costs exceeding $9,000, and more than 40% of Australian drivers having struck an animal at some point behind the wheel.
Yet for all the experience on the road, one in five drivers say they would swerve to avoid a collision with wildlife — a reaction that AAMI Motor Claims Manager Leah James described as one of the most dangerous decisions a driver can make.
“No one plans to hit an animal, but when wildlife jumps into your path out of nowhere, panic can take over pretty quickly,” James said. “Swerving may feel instinctive, but it can cause drivers to lose control — hitting a tree, or crashing into another vehicle — all of which are far worse than the original risk.”
The data points to a clear seasonal pattern. June, July and May are the top three months for claims and crashes cluster heavily in low-light conditions — evenings, early mornings and overnight — precisely when kangaroos and other wildlife are most active.
Kangaroos account for more than 80% of all wildlife collision claims, followed by wallabies, wombats and deer. The collisions are concentrated on regional roads, where animals cross frequently and warning signage is often the only alert a driver receives.
“A major factor in the winter spike is peak-hour traffic coinciding with the time nocturnal wildlife are on the move — at dusk and dawn — to feed and cross roads,” said WIRES spokesperson John Grant. “Extreme conditions, like drought across NSW, push animals to travel further to find food and water, leaving them disoriented in unfamiliar areas.”
James added that winter’s longer stretches of darkness compound the risk. “Animals are most active at dawn, dusk and overnight — exactly when visibility is at its worst — leaving drivers with less time to react. It’s a perfect storm.”
Despite the clear dangers, the data reveals a troubling gap between awareness and action. While 77% of drivers say they would slow down upon spotting a large animal near the roadside, fewer than half — just 46% — say they always adjust their driving when passing wildlife warning signs.
“You’ve got drivers doing the right thing when the animal is right in front of them, but not when the warning signs are there,” James said. “Once a kangaroo is on the road, there is not much you can do. But slowing down when you see wildlife warning signs gives yourself more time to react and avoid a crash altogether.”
On the more encouraging side, Australians show a strong instinct for animal welfare after a collision: 60% say they would stop to check on an injured animal, and half would call a wildlife rescue service. James and Grant both urge drivers to carry a basic wildlife kit — gloves, a blanket, a cardboard box or pet carrier, and water — particularly on country road journeys.
For drivers who do strike an animal, the advice from both AAMI and WIRES is consistent: pull over safely, check for joeys in the pouch, look nearby for young animals that may have been thrown clear, and call a wildlife rescue organisation such as WIRES — even if the animal appears to move away under its own power.
“Having a game plan, especially if you’re travelling on country roads, takes the guesswork out of a stressful situation,” James said.
