State Farm
Words by Steve Fennell
Although a common cliché, “a deer in the headlights” is a potential reality for Canadian drivers every year, RVers included. Like any accident on the roadway, wildlife collisions involving deer, moose, elk, or other large animals can happen at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, these collisions, more often than not, result in the fate of Mother Nature’s creation, extensive damage to a vehicle, and can even cause drivers to lose control of their RV or truck, causing bodily injury or fatalities.
In two Western Canadian Provinces alone, the Alberta Motor Association reported that five Alberta residents were killed in automotive collisions involving moose from July to August 2020, “which is the average number of fatal crashes with wildlife for an entire year.” Additionally, according to an ICBC Statistics report in 2018, approximately 11,000 automotive collisions with wildlife took place annually in BC with an average of 650 injuries, and an average of three fatalities.
But wildlife collisions can happen anywhere across the country – from Newfoundland and Labrador to Vancouver Island. In fact, a State Farm Canada survey (that polled 3,061 respondents of driving age across Canada) revealed that approximately one in three drivers don’t feel confident that they would know how to avoid a collision with a large animal. RVers, too, need to beware of the potential damage that can be caused to their trucks and/or RVs. So, we have devised a few preventative measures to practice while touring the country this season to avoid an accident with wildlife that wander along the roadways.
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Adhere to Speed Limits and Know Your Braking Distance
Adhering to speed limits is vital anywhere and it’s especially important in rural areas that are known to have large populations of deer, moose, or other large animals. Stopping on a dime is next to impossible in an RV or truck/trailer unit. Hence, it’s important to know your vehicle’s braking distance to help prevent a collision or if an animal or darts unexpectedly in front of your vehicle closer than expected. When it comes to braking, the Canada Safety Council suggests that if wildlife is in the middle of the road, it’s best to brake firmly, and also sound the horn in a series of short bursts to frighten it away.
Although swerving to avoid wildlife can potentially cause you to lose control or possibly collide with another oncoming vehicle, sometimes there are no other options, but do so when there’s ample time to prevent hitting the animal and when it’s safe to do so. This is just another reason why it’s also critical to stay alert at all times behind the wheel.
Formulanone
Watch for Animal Crossing Signs
These yellow, diamond-shaped wildlife crossing signs are hard to miss and provide some warning of wildlife in the area you’re visiting. Those riding shotgun should also continuously scan the road and keep their eyes open for any wandering animals. Should wildlife be spotted, slow down until you have passed it, and chances are likely there will be more will be down the road.
Upgrade Lighting
It should come as no surprise that a lot of wildlife collisions happen during the night when visibility is low and animals are known to be less active. Since departing early or arriving at a destination is common among RVers, perhaps consider a set of highly efficient headlights (or aftermarket lighting systems) to better spot wildlife during these times.
All RVs and tow vehicles come with the proper headlights as recommended by the manufacturer. But if you find yourself frequently driving dark rural roads, and the stock headlights can’t illuminate the darkness far, wide, or bright enough, then it’s time to consider some new lighting options, and there are many.
JP Valery unsplash
To be more specific, the 20W Gravity LED inserts from KC HiLites are an ideal choice. SAE street legal with optimal light output and low power draw, these compact, powerful LEDs can be bumper-mounted to a grill of a truck or an RV and are built with what is called Gravity Reflective Diode (GRD) technology. What this means is the lights are aimed backward into a reflector, directing the light forward for an enhanced beam pattern. The end result is excellent illumination, especially in dark, rural areas, thus allowing more reaction time when you see the animal on the road before it sees you.
The company also offers its SlimLites series. They measure just 15 cm (6 in), offer 50W of illumination (per light), and incorporate 10 internal LEDs (and reflectors) for targeted light distribution and beam shape, which distributes more usable light than standard round headlights. They can be mounted on a variety of truck grills or just below the front of a windshield of select RVs and offer distant-output as well as fill-light when short to mid-range illumination is required.
With many aftermarket lighting solutions to include light bars for tow vehicles that have even more light output, perhaps visit your local dealer for the options that best meet your needs.
Christian Macmillan unsplash
What Happens When you Hit Wildlife
When colliding with a large moose or deer is unavoidable, it’s important to realize that the force of sudden braking with SUVs or light trucks can cause the front vehicle to lower slightly, thus causing the animal to roll over the hood and hit the centre of the windshield, rather than just the hitting the grill or hood. So, as a safety measure when the impact is inevitable try leaning towards the door frame to avoid being close to the centre of the cab or front seat. Following impact, pull off to the side of the road, never touch the animal, immediately call the police and remember to get a police report. Many insurance companies may not pay for damages without it.
Practicing some of these precautions will not only help avoid a wildlife collision but provide an added safety measure against other obstacles on the road ahead, ensuring smoother travels to your destination this season.