Statistics released by insurance provider AAMI reveal nearly half of the motor accidents across the Southern Tablelands are due to collisions with animals.
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This was followed by hitting stationary objects, including trees or road barriers (24.47 per cent), and failure to give way (11.57pc).
AAMI spokesperson Jake Krausmann said Southern Tablelands motorists should ”keep a look-out” for wildlife on the road.
“Wildlife are unpredictable and can appear out of nowhere, so it’s important to slow down and be aware of your environment, particularly inside signposted wildlife areas,” Mr Krausmann said.
“Regardless of how familiar a driver is with their local roads, it doesn’t dilute the importance of safe driving behaviours. Drivers should also focus their attention to being aware of their surroundings.”
When wildlife are crossing the road, no attention is given to lights and sound; they have no road sense.
- Chris Neil, WIRES chairperson
About 650 people in NSW participated in the survey between August 2015 and 2016 and figures were compiled on accident insurance claims. Additionally, nose-to-tail accidents ranked first for Sydney, NSW and Australian drivers.
Honorary chairperson for Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) Chris Neil said motorists should slow down to avoid unexpected collisions on country roads.
"When wildlife are crossing the road, no attention is given to lights and sound; they have no road sense," he said. “In the winter, native wildlife travel during dusk and dawn, which coincides with peak hour traffic.”
Eastern grey kangaroos, species most common in the Southern Tablelands region, travel in mobs. Mr Neil said that in most cases, motorists were relieved when they saw a kangaroo cross in the distance, and forgot more were likely to appear.
“If one crosses the road, and you think that might be the last one, there's a good chance there's more," he said. "Sometimes it’s totally unpredictable and they take a change in direction."
He advised those who are witness to an animal collision to relay accurate information and transport the injured animal to the closest veterinarian, if possible.
Motorists who find an injured animal and want to get involved are advised by WIRES to, if safe, gently wrap and keep the animal in a warm place. To reduce its stress, people and pets should be kept away from the animal.
Most vets take wildlife free of charge. Vets should be first advised of the wildlife as some can’t handle or accept certain species. If the animal is in a critical condition, go to the vet quickly.
Snakes, goannas, bats, kangaroos, wallabies or raptors require special handling and should not be approached.
WIRES have 2500 volunteers in 27 branches across Australia. If you find a sick or injured wildlife animal in NSW, call a WIRES rescue officer on 1300 094 737. For deceased animals, call the local council.
