Almost half of all crashes over the last few months have been because of moose. There are coming out onto the roads because there are a higher number of bugs this season, thanks to a wet spring.
The South Porcupine OPP is asking drivers to be careful, and keep an eye out for the animals. Check the highway shoulders as you’re driving, and if there is a moose on the highway, don’t try and scare it off. Pull over with your four-ways on, and wait for it to move.
They are reporting 37 crashes from April 1st to July 1st, and have released some more safety tips.
· Be sure to follow the speed limit. It is much easier to stop a vehicle that is not going too fast.
· Scan the shoulders of the highways so an errant moose may be spotted before it makes its way onto the road. Have any passengers in the vehicle do this also.
· Be particularly vigilant during the hours of dawn and dusk when moose are harder to see.
· Be aware of moose crossing signage. Those signs are strategically placed where more moose are congregating.
· If your vehicle is involved in a collision with a moose, phone your local police so both your vehicle and the moose can be removed from the Highway quickly.
“The OPP is concerned primarily about public safety,” says Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Dan Foy. “If we can offer any education to help motorists avoid a collision on Ontario’s Highways with a moose, this is our goal.”