Drivers are warned not to get caught – a delay can cost thousands

After analyzing the latest statistics related to animals in traffic accidents, specialists from the insurer BTA point out that in January-September of this year, the maximum damage suffered by drivers amounted to almost 4 thousand. EUR, while last year it was set at 6 thousand. euro damage.

“The intensity of events and increased damage may have been significantly affected by the quarantine announced in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly slowed human lives and encouraged animals to move. Collisions with Deer continue to lead the way in accident reports. According to our data, 41% of them encountered this year. Drivers who have suffered such an accident. However, it should be noted that this year, before the peak of Autumn seasonal animal migration, which is usually recorded in mid-October, the number of animal collisions has already reached 80%. Last year’s level. This number of collisions shows that drivers need to pay much more attention to life wild, ”says Andrius Žiukelis, Head of the Experts Department of the insurance company.

The animals have already begun to move with more intensity. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, 127 wild animals were involved in traffic accidents in the second week of September alone. In the first week of September, the number of cases of this type was significantly lower: 84.

According to A. Žiukelis, a collision with an animal is usually determined by a set of circumstances: a dark hour of the day, a road that stretches near forests, bushes or areas of tall grass, a faster driving speed or insufficient concentration drivers when driving.

Although the most dangerous places on the roads are marked with a special “Wild Animals” sign, beasts can appear on the road almost anywhere. The expert points out that you should not relax too much during the day, because cars come into contact with both birds and pets, these become an additional factor of surprise.

“Also, there have been frustrating collisions with storks this year. These birds are active during the day, so healthy care is necessary for drivers even then. Of course, the storks have already flown, but pets that are normally on a leash or locked up can also escape and escape, which is also the case every year. The actual statistics of collisions with animals should be even higher, because sometimes small events are not reported and not included in the summaries, “says A Žiukelis.

This year there have been significantly fewer collisions with particularly dangerous large animals: wild boar and elk. There were also relatively few accidents with foxes, rabbits and badgers.

Because the animals attack the road in unexpected ways, drivers usually notice them late, when there is essentially no time or room to maneuver.

“Animals are bothered by traffic noise and bright lights, so when they run down the road, they can behave completely unpredictable. It also happens that animals cross the road not in groups, but in groups, so If you notice a beast rushing towards the road, it may not be the only one. It is impossible to guess which way the scared animal will turn, so when driving, you must first choose a safe speed, keep a closer eye on the surroundings, and be ready to react ”, advises the expert.

It must be borne in mind that, after a collision with an animal, it is not possible to leave the place arbitrarily if people, vehicles, buildings, road signs, barriers or other road elements have been damaged or killed. In the event of a collision with an animal, the hazard lights must first be turned on and an emergency sign posted so that other drivers can see the scene of the accident. If possible, the car should be brought to the curb. It is not recommended to approach the animal, but to leave it on the road and just walk away, it is not possible.

“It is not necessary to approach an animal, because if it is injured, it can injure a person, and even if it does not move, it is not possible to try to get it off the road on its own initiative. Call the police and the officers will decide what to do next and resolve the situation safely, ”says A. Žiukelis.