Other Issues > Watch out for wildlife crossing
Expect the unexpected
Colliding with a wild animal can be catastrophic. You and your family could be seriously hurt and your car could be wrecked.
"Here’s the big picture: over the last three years, Manitobans have reported an average of about 10,000 crashes per year with wild animals, costing about $30 million per year in property damage and injuries."
See the top deer crash areas for 2005 in Winnipeg and across Manitoba.
Tips to help keep you safe:
Slow down
- when you see wildlife crossing signs
- especially at dawn, dusk and at night
- where brush and tall grass grow near the road
- drive at a speed at which you will be able to stop within the zone of your headlights
Watch carefully
- scan the roadside for animals -- get your passengers to help
- watch for the reflection of headlights in the eyes of a deer, or a dark silhouette
- use your high beams at night but remember to dim them for traffic coming the other way and when following another vehicle closely
If an animal crosses...
- dim your headlights—your brights may cause a deer to freeze on the road
- slow down and be prepared to stop
- blow your horn to scare the animal away
- avoid hard swerving—you may lose control
- brake firmly to reduce the impact between an animal and your vehicle
If you hit an animal...
- don’t touch it—it may hurt you
- move your car off the road if possible, and call the police or have someone call for you
And remember: wearing your seatbelt is one of the best ways to prevent injury in any collision.
