Seasonal shift brings higher crash risk across B.C.

By Road Safety at Work

May and June are among the highest risk months for wildlife collisions on B.C. roads due to changing behaviour by both drivers and animals, cautions Road Safety at Work.

ICBC reports an average of more than 12,000 animal‑related incidents and 952 people injured annually over the last five years.

The numbers tend to spike at this time of year. Deer account for most collisions in May, and elk in June, as wildlife movement increases sharply, says Trace Acres, spokesperson for Road Safety at Work. Deer and elk are more active at dawn and dusk, crossing roads unpredictably as they search for food, move to new habitat, or care for young.

“Roads look clearer and the weather is better so drivers may not be as alert to the hazards,” said Acres. “At the same time, wildlife activity is peaking. And that combination raises the risk of collisions.”

People who drive as part of their job are especially exposed to the risks. Hundreds of thousands of BC employees drive as part of the job, either full time, part time, or occasionally. “They’re on the road more, often at dawn or dusk, and that puts them directly in the window of time when wildlife is most active,” Acres says. Work drivers also frequently travel rural routes where wildlife is common.

Five ways drivers can help prevent collisions

To reduce the risk of colliding with wildlife, drivers should:

Wear their seatbelt;

Slow down and be alert in areas marked with wildlife warning signs and near parks, forested areas, and waterways;

Scan roadsides for wildlife continuously, especially in low-light conditions;

Be prepared for multiple animals, not just one;

Avoid swerving suddenly, which can lead to losing control of the vehicle.

What to do if you collide with wildlife

If you do collide with wildlife, “focus first on protecting people, then dealing with the scene and reporting the incident,” advises Acres.

Check yourself and passengers for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is injured.

Turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights. Stay well off the road if you have to get out of the vehicle.

Don’t approach an injured animal. Call the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. If it’s dead, contact the road maintenance contractor through DriveBC.ca’s “Report a Highway Problem” information.

Contact your employer if you’re driving for work and follow their instructions.

How employers can meet their responsibilities to keep work drivers safe

Employers are responsible for employee safety when driving on the job, even when employees use their own vehicles. To reduce risk, Road Safety at Work recommends employers:

Warn drivers about the hazards of wildlife on the road;

Plan routes and schedules to limit driving at high-risk times when possible;

Include wildlife collision prevention in their road safety plans;

Develop procedures and educate drivers about what to do if they’re in a collision with wildlife.

Road Safety at Work is a WorkSafeBC Injury Reduction Initiative managed by the Justice Institute of BC. It aims to eliminate work-related motor vehicle crashes, deaths, and injuries in B.C. For more information, visit RoadSafetyAtWork.ca.

Five-year annual average of wildlife/vehicle incidents (2020 through 2024)

Region	Annual average
BC total	12,008
Lower Mainland (entire southwest corner of mainland BC, from Pemberton to Boston Bar, including Fraser Valley, Greater Vancouver, southern Sunshine Coast)	1,264
Vancouver Island (includes Gulf Islands and Powell River)	2,187
Southern Interior (southern third of BC, including the Kamloops area, Okanagan and Kootenay regions, as far west as Boston Bar and Lillooet)	5,232
North Central (includes central Interior as far south as 100 Mile House, the Peace River district, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, and all points north)	3,171
Unknown (insufficient location details available)	154

Source: ICBC

e-KNOW file photos

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