Collisions with animals on the roads can be fatal. In the last five years, the number of deer collisions has increased by 50 percent. From 2012 to 2021, ten people died in such accidents. 48 people were seriously injured, and 32 slightly injured, according to Statistics Norway. Moose cross the road in Sørlandet in the summer of 2021. Video: Line Hødnebø. – It can be dramatic to collide with an animal at high speed. The largest animal is of course the most dangerous, says Guro Ranes, head of the Traffic Department at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Guro Ranes, head of the Traffic Department, Norwegian Public Roads Administration Photo: Line Hødnebø Despite a record number of collisions with wild animals, there is a slight decrease in the number of injuries. – But there are still too many people who are injured, especially by moose, Ranes says. The moose is responsible for most fatal accidents and many of the injuries. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, but according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, there is no overview of what kind of motor vehicle collides with animals. Fortunately, newer cars better protect against serious accidents. The cars are becoming increasingly safer, says Ranes. The animals suffer But even though fewer people are injured, it is both a traffic and animal welfare problem that so many animals are hit and killed, according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. The deer is most exposed to collisions with motor vehicles. Photo: Cecilie Kristiansen In the last ten years, 109,000 deer game such as elk, deer, roe deer and a few wild reindeer have been hit in traffic. A little more than 1/3 of the accidents happen in June-August. The reason why so many animals are injured is due to the increased animal population, especially deer, but also the deer in Western Norway. In the last five years alone, deer accidents have increased by 67 percent. Deer have increased by 44 percent. Trøndelag has the most accidents with deer, in Hedmark the elk is most exposed and in Western Norway the deer ends up in the most collisions, especially in Møre og Romsdal. A small deer hit Photo: Kyrre Hansen Most dangerous on national roads Most collisions with animals occur on national roads. Autumn and winter are high season, but accidents happen all year round. In the summer, there is a lot of car traffic, but more daylight, so there are about 10 percent fewer animals that are hit than an average month. In the summer, many of the collisions occur either during rush hour, or in the period from kl. 20.00-04.00, so then you have to be extra vigilant, according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. 31 percent of moose, deer and deer killed in traffic were killed in the period September to November. During the summer holidays, many people go on a car trip and Nils Sødal from the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF) has the following advice: – Be aware of signs with moose and deer danger. Slow down, especially in the gray light in the morning and at dusk in the evening. Then the animals move and the risk of collisions increases. It is required by law to report to the police. You must stop at the first opportunity and help any injured people and animals. Provide first aid if necessary. Call 113 if you need emergency help and the police must be notified on 02800 due to traffic safety. Note where the collision occurred to be able to track injured animals. Do not follow the injured animal yourself. This can be dangerous and can make the search difficult. Measures on the roads International and Norwegian research shows that there are few measures that reduce wildlife collisions. Game fences are very effective, but cost tens of millions of kroner and are not suitable everywhere. – It is often expensive to establish a game fence on an existing road if homes have to be fenced in. It is very unpopular with homeowners, and homes are often required to be redeemed, says Ranes. On stretches with a lot of agriculture, it is impractical with a game fence for the farmers. Such game fences are primarily considered when new road routes are constructed. But the toolbox to reduce the number of collisions with animals is almost used up. – We have tested electronic game scarers in the side terrain that emit high-frequency sound and light to warn the moose, we have tried blue reflectors in the side terrain and yellow warning lights, but much of this has little effect, unfortunately. Now the Norwegian Public Roads Administration wants to try other solutions. Photo: @ivarhoee Variable speed limits The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is trying to find solutions, especially to reduce moose collisions. In the National Action Plan for Road Safety on Roads 2022-2025, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration wants to test variable speed limits on a selection of sections with many wildlife collisions. The speed will be temporarily reduced during periods of game danger. But it is unclear when this will be started. Research shows that there are good chances of surviving a moose collision at 70 km / h, but the danger increases when the speed exceeds 70 km / h. – This has been a challenge for a long time, and especially collisions with deer, which often occur in the summer and in densely populated areas, says Erik Lund, senior adviser in the Game Section in the Norwegian Environment Agency. He believes that several agencies must work together to find better solutions. Some of the animal population must be reduced, but the directorate cannot overrule the municipalities. – The municipalities must make arrangements so that more animals can be taken out. But the best thing is to find other solutions, such as slowing down where the problems are greatest.
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Large increase in game causes several collisions – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
