A new report from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) has offered insights into the prevalence of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) in Canada.
There have been 570 fatalities from WVCs between 2000 and 2020, and summer was found to be the deadliest season for WVCs, with June (84) and July (87) seeing the highest number of deaths.
The report, sponsored by Desjardins, looked into TIRF’s National Fatality Database during that period.
It found that over half of these tragic deaths involved collisions with moose, while nearly one-third were associated with deer. The remaining fatalities encompassed various species, from bison and bears to smaller mammals and birds.
TIRF also found that only one in three collisions occur during the fall months despite the season being a peak for animal migration.
The report also indicated that a third of WVCs occur due to drivers swerving to avoid animals. This reactive move has proven to be more dangerous, according to TIRF, often leading to more accidents like collisions with other vehicles or fixed objects.
Geographically, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec were revealed to be hotspots for WVC fatalities, accounting for over half of the recorded incidents. These numbers underscore the urgency for targeted interventions and strategies to mitigate risks.
“In the absence of good, quality data to understand the dynamics of wildlife-vehicle collisions, it’s incredibly difficult to identify effective and appropriate interventions to mitigate risks,” said Hannah Barrett, TIRF researcher and program coordinator.
“With greater awareness of key factors contributing to these incidents, we can develop targeted solutions that protect road users and wildlife.”
“These results emphasize the importance of addressing wildlife-vehicle collisions as a critical aspect of road safety,” said TIRF COO Ward Vanlaar.
“By understanding the patterns and contributing factors, we can work towards implementing effective measures to prevent these tragic incidents.”
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