Officials are urging drivers to stay alert on area highways as fall brings an increase in vehicle collisions involving moose and deer.
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According to Legacy Regional Protective Services Chief Dean Peters, fall conditions, early darkness and a lack of snow contrast make this a prime time for animal strikes.
“Many of the moose strikes we’ve responded to in the last year have involved multiple vehicles,” said Peters.
“The first vehicle hits the moose, the second goes over the top or gets high-centred, or the second vehicle strikes the first. If you’re approaching stopped or slowed vehicles, be extra vigilant and kick off the cruise control.”
Kirk Hughes, County of Vermilion River director of protective services, said harvest and hunting season often coincide with a spike in animal collisions, especially at dawn and dusk.
“Our advice is to always drive with headlights on in low-light conditions, scan the ditches for wildlife and fully concentrate when driving. Stay alert, stay safe,” said Hughes.
Both agencies noted there has been an increase in vehicle-animal incidents recently.
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