NEXT

D.30   Animal on road

It is tragic how many animals are killed or cause accidents on our roads every day. A large animal in the path of an unprepared driver often results in serious injury or damage. Trying to save a rabbit, a dog or cat is not worth risking human lives.

A natural reaction, when startled by an animal, is to swerve. Don’t do it! A blast of the horn, should frighten most animals off the road. If you swerve, the animal may run into your path and you will injure it anyway. Steering around the animal to the right is risking a head-on crash.

Swerving is a high risk business, especially in wet weather, on a dirt road or at high speed. There is the additional danger of overcorrecting, as covered in the preceding chapter. The faster you travel, the less you can afford to turn the steering wheel.

When an animal gets in the way...

1. Blast your horn loudly !

2. Check rear view mirror !

3. Brake safely !

A very large animal may not be able to move out of the way. Driving around it may be the only option. If possible, and safe to do so, follow steps 1 -3 above first.

Wildlife victim:   The animal was still breathing when the photo was taken.  The motorist probably did not see the animal early enough (crest of hill).  The vehicle speed must have been too high to stop within the seeing distance.

 Never assume the road is clearXbeyond the crest or around the bend 

Here is a little test to remember what you have learned. Firstly, answer the True / False question. Secondly, using the letter beside the correct answer, form a word. All answers are on this page!

T>    W