The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
November 2010

About 300 words
November is the highest month for motor vehicle/wildlife collisions

Every year in Manitoba there are about 6,600 collisions involving a motor vehicle and a deer. In total, more than 10,000 collisions take place between vehicles and wildlife in the province. More than 300 people have been injured in these crashes.

The two worst month for vehicle/deer collisions is November with 1,600, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. Motorists are encouraged to be extra cautious during these two months, says Clif Eden, Manager of Road Safety with MPI.

“Motorists should try to anticipate that an animal could cross a road in front of you,” says Eden. “Slowing down in areas where wildlife are known to be is a good, first step. Have passengers also look out for animals….watch for eye glare during the dusk and dawn hours.”

Manitoba Public Insurance recently posted two maps on its website (www.mpi.mb.ca/english/rd_safety/otherissues/Wildlife.html) which show exactly where the highest-risk, and high-risk areas are located within the province and city of Winnipeg. The regions are determined by claims data collected by Manitoba Public Insurance. Surprisingly, there is an average of 410 collisions annually between deer and motor vehicles in Winnipeg.

“The data dispels the notion that wildlife collisions only occur in rural Manitoba,” said Eden. “The data indicates that there are a number of high-risk areas within Manitoba’s capital city.”

Crash in Cottage Country

As he’s done for years, Russ Williams was heading out to his cottage on a Friday evening. After a hectic week at work, he was looking forward to some quiet time with his family at their cottage.

In a split second the family’s weekend changed dramatically.

“It was dusk and we were all basically relaxing,” says Williams. “The kids were watching a movie on a DVD player. As I was driving I had noticed deer eating in the ditch, or just off the shoulder of the road. As I continued driving, a deer must have got startled and ran across the road.”

Quickly applying the brakes, Williams struck the deer. He estimates he was travelling about 90 km when he hit the animal. Fortunately for the humans involved in this crash, there were no injuries. Everyone was startled, but no bumps and bruises.

The vehicle and deer didn’t fare as well. The front grill and passenger side front panel of Williams’ SUV were badly damaged. The animal was killed on impact.

“The vehicle was pretty banged up,” said Williams.  “My headlight was also smashed out. My front tire was rubbing up against the front panel. We had to call a tow truck and make arrangements to return back to Winnipeg.

“I’m just happy that my family wasn’t injured,” said Williams. “I couldn’t believe the damage to the SUV.”

In addition to the human cost ─ three people were killed between the years 2005 and ’09 in a wildlife crash ─ the economic toll is surprising. More than $30 million is paid out in wildlife collisions annually by Manitoba Public Insurance. The average cost of an injury claim to occupants in the vehicle was nearly $15,000.

Williams was fortunate no one was injured in his experience with a deer. By applying the brakes and not swerving away from the animal, Williams stayed in his lane, thus avoiding a head-on crash with another vehicle.

“After the crash the kids were always watching out for deer,” Williams said. “I know I pay extra attention now. You want to be prepared if an animal runs out in front of you. You only have a second or two to react.”

For tips on how to avoid a collision with an animal people can go to MPI’s website: www.mpi.mb.ca and link to the Road Safety/wildlife section.

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© 2010 Manitoba Public Insurance