Animal Crossing
Avoid wildlife collisions
EmergenciesHigh Risk
Wildlife collisions are common, especially at dawn and dusk. While avoiding an animal is ideal, sometimes safe avoidance is not possible. Knowing when and how to react is crucial.
Why This Matters
Swerving to avoid animals causes many serious accidents. Understanding the risks and correct response protects you while minimizing harm to wildlife.
Key Actions to Take
- Watch for warning signs indicating animal crossings
- Reduce speed in known wildlife areas
- Scan roadsides, especially at dawn and dusk
- If an animal appears, brake firmly but straight
- Do not swerve for small animals
Do
- Use high beams at night when safe (reflects in eyes)
- Slow down if you see one animal - more may follow
- Report injured large animals to authorities
- Horn may scare stationary animals off the road
Don't
- Swerve into opposing traffic
- Assume animals will behave predictably
- Speed in areas marked for wildlife
- Stop to help injured wild animals yourself
Important Warning
For large animals (deer, moose, horses), braking hard is usually safer than swerving. For small animals, it is safer to maintain course than to swerve. Swerving into traffic or off the road can be fatal.
Pro Tips
- Deer often travel in groups - if you see one, expect more
- Animals are most active at dawn and dusk
- Some insurance covers comprehensive damage from animal strikes
Test your judgement
Reading about it is not the same as reacting to it. Try ten real questions.
Question 1 of 10
What does this blue sign with a red border and two red diagonals mean?
Practice Your Hazard Perception
Put your knowledge into practice with our interactive hazard perception training.
Start TrainingRelated Scenarios
Practice Your Hazard Perception
Put your knowledge into practice with our interactive hazard perception training.
Start Training