Road users must be responsive to quite the risks posed by other road users. They even have to be aware of the risks to animals on the road. As urban areas still push outward and displace animals from their natural habitats and as traffic continues to extend per annum, collisions between cars and therefore the animals seem an almost inevitable consequence.

Dog crossing the road with his owner

 

As we drive outside our urban areas we regularly see roadkill – animals that are killed by passing traffic. we would even have had the unfortunate experience of striking an outsized animal ourselves. Road collisions kill and maim wildlife, pets, and humans, and end in numerous rand in insurance claims. These incidents are however mostly under-reported. When a driver swerves or stops to avoid hitting an animal, the resulting mishap is usually not recorded as a collision with an animal.

Animal distractions and risks are led to by a spread of animals, from small cats, dogs, and even birds to big cattle, donkeys, and antelope-like kudu. Even insects are recorded to require their toll!

Tips for motorists

There are no foolproof ways to keep animals away from the roads. Hoofed mammals that stand high on their legs, like cattle, horses, and antelope-like kudu pose the foremost danger to vehicle occupants. If they’re hit they will roll onto the bonnet and into the windshield or roof, leading to extensive damage and heavy or fatal injury. because of their height, their eyes are above most headlight beams.

 

ALSO READ: Getting Towed – What To Do When You Are With Your Pet

 

There are some suggestions that might assist in protecting motorists:

  • Minimize your distractions from passengers, food, and accessories like cell phones. If your full attention is on the road, you will be more likely to identify approaching animals along with your visual sense.
  • Get within the habit of scanning the roadside as you drive.
    Vigilance is the first and best defense, especially when driving on unfamiliar rural roads. Ask passengers to assist by scanning either side of the roadway.
  • If you see one animal, expect that there are others nearby.
  • Use your high beams whenever possible. They’re going to provide you with longer to identify and react to animals on the road.
  • Always obey the regulation and wear safety belts
  • To protect themselves, defensive drivers adapt their speed to conditions and keep alert for wildlife.
  • Slowing down a touch gives you and therefore the animal longer to react – Be especially cautious during the hours of darkness
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • If you see an outsized animal near the road and think you have got time to avoid hitting it, reduce your speed, tap your brakes to warn other drivers, and sound your horn.
  • If the animal is in your path, brake firmly but don’t swerve to avoid it. The sound interferes with a series of short bursts to frighten it away. Provided you’ll be able to impede with control, steer around the animal but remain on the road if possible. Be careful of oncoming traffic.
  • If a collision seems inevitable, don’t swerve to avoid the animal; your risk of injury could also be greater if you are doing. Maintain control of the vehicle. Report the accident to the police and your insurer. Get help from people such as professional towing San Jose roadside assistance.
  • Always consider if the land along the road could host large animals and if you think that it could, anticipate that they may run out into the road. It’s much easier to anticipate animal encounters and be able to react calmly than to house the costly expenses, injuries, and guilt trip of a collision.

Community involvement

Even though the behavior of animals may well be unpredictable, there’s much safer to be found in preventative measures and community involvement. It’s required that farmers and landowners adequately protect road users by taking care of fences and gates.

The following suggestions will enhance safety:

  • Respect the importance of fences and warning signs next to the road.
  • Regularly inspect enclosures next to the road.
  • If you’re au fait of the movement of cattle or sheep across or alongside roads – be alert to the desired regulations regarding warning flags, etc.
  • When you lead a horse next to the road always keep yourself between it and therefore the traffic.
  • Make sure other road users can see you by day and night. Fit fluorescent/reflective leg bands to your horse and wear a fluorescent/reflective jacket.
  • Do not let your pets out on their own. Keep the pet on a brief lead when walking on the pavement, road, or a cycle path and keep between the pet and also the traffic.
  • Make sure that your animals are safe.
  • Do not take your animal somewhere which will frighten it.

Engineering and research solutions

  • Wildlife researchers and safety officials are seeking better ways to shield motorists from wildlife and the other way around.
  • In African nations, a project is underway to feature reflective tags on the ears of cattle in specific areas.

Despite all the interesting and scientific solutions it’s important to recollect that there’s no substitute for the defensive driver. Road users should in any respect times be vigilant – expect the unexpected!