| dc.description.abstract | Rising road densities, higher vehicle speed limits, and increased traffic volumes, combined with
growth in the density of various deer species, have increased the risk of wildlife-vehicle
collisions across the world. The result is a great deal of animal suffering, traffic safety problems
and socio-economic costs. The objective of this investigation was to explore trends in vehicle
collisions with moose and white-tailed deer in Thunder Bay and attempt to gain a better
understanding of the temporal variation associated with collisions. Describing their temporal
pattern allows for the development of measures to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The
monthly distribution of the 1,332 wild ungulate-related traffic accidents on regional highways
in the Thunder Bay area occurring between January 2011 and December 2021 was not random;
most occurred in May and June, coinciding with the breeding season when juveniles born the
previous year are dispersing. The next most common months for accidents were October and
November, coinciding with the rut. Averaged over the entire eleven years, daily peaks in
accidents occurred more often during dawn and dusk hours, but the trend occurred only for two
of eleven years, suggesting that peaks in deer and moose activity, which should correspond with
these hours, are not consistently responsible for accident risk. Drivers can reduce collision risk
and especially the risk of serious consequences by lowering their speed and by keeping alert for
deer and moose. | en_US |
