Wildlife accidents can be really serious, and have increased greatly in recent years.
Autumn is the peak season for wildlife accidents, but even before it starts, 2024 looks set to be a record year for the type of accident.
Now Riksförbundet M Sweden sends out a warning.
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Motorists are warned about wildlife accidents
During the first half of 2024, the number of wildlife accidents increased by 10 percent compared to the same period last year.
During 2023, nine people died in wildlife accidents on Swedish roads. M Sweden also notes that many who survive a game accident are butchered for life.
– Even wildlife accidents without a fatal outcome are dangerous because a larger percentage of injured people do not return to a normal life compared to normal traffic accidents, says the association’s traffic expert Tony Gunnarsson.
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Be extra careful starting in September
Autumn is the real peak season for wildlife accidents, according to M Sweden, when the animals are set in motion for various reasons.
Due to the increasing darkness, the animals are also more difficult to spot before it is too late. Moose accidents, which are the most serious type of game accident, double during the autumn, for example.
– From September you should be extra careful, says Tony Gunnarsson.
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The type of accident has increased by 50 percent
According to statistics from the National Wildlife Accident Council NVR, which We Car Owners have taken part in, the number of wildlife accidents has increased sharply.
Since the statistics began to be published in 2015, the number of reported wildlife accidents has increased by as much as 50 percent.
During the period from January to August this year, 38,000 wildlife accidents occurred, which means 155 accidents a day or 6 accidents every hour.
M Sweden believes that wildlife accidents are a growing road safety problem, which is underprioritised. That the problems are increasing is believed to be due to growing game populations, delayed maintenance of the road infrastructure and increased traffic.
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