I KN W
Public Outreach and Education Office | Ministry of Transportation
Wildlife Collision
Prevention
What drivers need to know to adopt safer driving
behaviours and prevent wildlife collisions.
Know the risks
50% of all fatal crashes happen on rural roadways or in the country, where speed limits
are faster - stay alert and scan the road ahead for domestic, farm or wild animals.
Small or Big Animal: React Appropriately
Every year, in Ontario, there are about 12,000 deer and wildlife collisions each year,
leading to 400 human injuries.
Small animals such as turtles, turkeys, squirrels, raccoons, etc. pose a different type of
hazard on the road. Drivers must respond to small/medium wildlife on the road in a
different manner than they would to large wildlife.
Tips to Avoid Collisions with Small Animals
Avoiding a collision with a small animal could result in losing control or putting
someone's life in danger.
If you come across a small animal, do not swerve! Drivers who swerve are more
likely to hit an obstacle or lose control of their car.
Watch your speed to avoid hard braking.
Drivers behind you may not see the animal and may not be prepared to stop
suddenly which could result in a collision.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation recognizes that roads may cross wildlife
ecosystems and as such we plan, design, build, operate and maintain a transportation
network with the safety of both the users and the environment in mind.
79 % of wildlife-
vehicle collisions
occur on rural,
two-lane roads.
There is a wildlife-
motor vehicle collision
approximately every
44 minutes.
One out of every 18
motor vehicle
collisions involves a
wild animal.
Each year, wildlife-
car collisions cost
about $800 million
in Canada.
