1 prevention of wildlife strikes for professional drivers

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Prevention of WildlifePrevention of WildlifeStrikes for Professional Strikes for Professional

DriversDrivers

Safety culture and the Normative behaviour we can develop:

Safety culture and the Normative behaviour we can develop:

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PreventionPrevention

►We conducted a Survey on vehicle wildlife collisions found that there were driving habits and driver characteristics that were more conducive to preventing collisions. The study also found some common quotes from drivers who had hit deer.

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Quotes from Drivers who have hit wildlife:

►“I didn’t see the second one”►“I didn’t think it was going to run onto

the road”►“I assumed it would run off the road”►“I took my eyes off the road for just a

second to ...(adjust radio, sip coffee, etc, etc) and it just appeared”

►“I was doing the speed limit”

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Safety CheckSafety Check

►Doppler Effect of Sound; the sound of Doppler Effect of Sound; the sound of tires on pavement or engine is behind tires on pavement or engine is behind you which confuses the animals.you which confuses the animals.

►Light at Dusk : especially Deer have Light at Dusk : especially Deer have highly sensitive Vision, Headlights highly sensitive Vision, Headlights probably look like the sun and they probably look like the sun and they just stand there.just stand there.

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How to Avoid Wildlife How to Avoid Wildlife IncidentsIncidents

Understand the Wildlife Understand the Wildlife SeasonSeason

Know the type of WildlifeKnow the type of Wildlife

Know your areaKnow your area

Train your eyesTrain your eyes

Reconsider your Road RadarReconsider your Road Radar

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Know the SeasonKnow the Season

•““The Rut” typically lasts 2 weeks The Rut” typically lasts 2 weeks but can occur anytime during the but can occur anytime during the month depending on weather, month depending on weather, moon phase and day length.moon phase and day length.

•The main key is weather, if your The main key is weather, if your travel day falls during the rut a travel day falls during the rut a day with rapid barometric drop day with rapid barometric drop (i.e.: gets very cold very fast – (i.e.: gets very cold very fast – “a front is moving in”) will be a “a front is moving in”) will be a high movement day.high movement day.•Males will move all day non-Males will move all day non-stop on the peak rut daysstop on the peak rut days

•““The Rut” typically lasts 2 weeks The Rut” typically lasts 2 weeks but can occur anytime during the but can occur anytime during the month depending on weather, month depending on weather, moon phase and day length.moon phase and day length.

•The main key is weather, if your The main key is weather, if your travel day falls during the rut a travel day falls during the rut a day with rapid barometric drop day with rapid barometric drop (i.e.: gets very cold very fast – (i.e.: gets very cold very fast – “a front is moving in”) will be a “a front is moving in”) will be a high movement day.high movement day.•Males will move all day non-Males will move all day non-stop on the peak rut daysstop on the peak rut days

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Maximum MovementMaximum Movement

• Male ungulates (Deer, Moose, Elk) will Male ungulates (Deer, Moose, Elk) will maximize their movements during the rut maximize their movements during the rut

►Elk – Mid Sept – Mid OctElk – Mid Sept – Mid Oct►Moose – End Sept – End OctMoose – End Sept – End Oct►Deer – NovemberDeer – November

►Consider the time of year and what Consider the time of year and what travel patterns animals will likely make travel patterns animals will likely make before you travel.before you travel.

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RUT: RUT: X= Strikes, Y=Time of YearX= Strikes, Y=Time of Year

►Elk – Mid Sept – Mid OctElk – Mid Sept – Mid Oct►Elk – Mid Sept – Mid OctElk – Mid Sept – Mid Oct

►Moose – End Sept – End Moose – End Sept – End OctOct►Moose – End Sept – End Moose – End Sept – End OctOct

Deer – NovemberDeer – NovemberDeer – NovemberDeer – November

Statistics - CanadaStatistics - CanadaStatistics - CanadaStatistics - Canada

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Incidents :Type of Wildlife Incidents :Type of Wildlife

Deer81%

Moose7%

Birds6%

Bear4%

Elk2%

Statistics - Statistics - CanadaCanadaStatistics - Statistics - CanadaCanada

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DEER = 81%DEER = 81%

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DeerDeer

• 2 species (Mule deer and Whitetail) 2 species (Mule deer and Whitetail) act differentlyact differently

►Mule deer are more social, tend to travel Mule deer are more social, tend to travel in groupsin groups

►Whitetail are more solitary. In spring of Whitetail are more solitary. In spring of year does travel with fawns. Fawns will year does travel with fawns. Fawns will lag behind the doelag behind the doe

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Safety CheckSafety Check

► If you see an animal on one side of the If you see an animal on one side of the road, check the other side, especially if road, check the other side, especially if the animal is looking over its back the animal is looking over its back across the road, it is likely waiting for across the road, it is likely waiting for more animals.more animals.

►Young deer will stay focused on their Young deer will stay focused on their mother, not on the danger of their mother, not on the danger of their surroundings; if she ran safely across surroundings; if she ran safely across they will do the same despite your they will do the same despite your proximity change.proximity change.

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DANGER:DANGER:VEGETATION VEGETATION

►When trees or Brush come close to the When trees or Brush come close to the road the Driver cannot respond quickly road the Driver cannot respond quickly enough to avoid a collision.enough to avoid a collision.

►Where vegetation has been cleared 40 Where vegetation has been cleared 40 meters to the side of the road we meters to the side of the road we seldom see Deer Collisions. seldom see Deer Collisions.

(cite: Found R., Boyce M.,)(cite: Found R., Boyce M.,)

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MOOSE = 7%MOOSE = 7%

KING OF THE FOREST

WILL MOVE

IF IT WANTS TO.

KING OF THE FOREST

WILL MOVE

IF IT WANTS TO.

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Safety Check:Safety Check:Know the type of WildlifeKnow the type of WildlifeMooseMoose

• During the rut males will be alone and During the rut males will be alone and on the move or may have a harem of on the move or may have a harem of cows with them. In the winter they will cows with them. In the winter they will herd up regardless of sex.herd up regardless of sex.

• Spring bulls will form bachelor herds Spring bulls will form bachelor herds and will feed for the rut. (May is a high and will feed for the rut. (May is a high movement time as they spread out for movement time as they spread out for fresh feed)fresh feed)

• If they are with cows they will If they are with cows they will stay close and are protective of them. stay close and are protective of them. If encountered like this they may not If encountered like this they may not back down from your vehicle choosing back down from your vehicle choosing to challenge instead.to challenge instead.

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Birds = 6%Birds = 6%

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Bird StrikesBird Strikes

►Happen at Dusk or Dark: Predators Happen at Dusk or Dark: Predators ►During Early Morning and Dusk: During Early Morning and Dusk:

MigrationMigration►The bigger Birds usually end up in the The bigger Birds usually end up in the

Seat next to you or on your lap.Seat next to you or on your lap.►Some are feeding on the Deer that Some are feeding on the Deer that

was hit earlier in the morning.was hit earlier in the morning.

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Bear = 4%Bear = 4%

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Bear TracksBear Tracks

►Non –Existent in WinterNon –Existent in Winter►Spring: Dependant on the weatherSpring: Dependant on the weather►Summer: Heavy Movement Early Summer: Heavy Movement Early

Morning or Dusk.Morning or Dusk.►Fall: Feeding for Winter heavy Fall: Feeding for Winter heavy

MovementMovement

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ELK = 2%ELK = 2%

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Elk CharacteristicsElk Characteristics

►RUT: Elk – Mid Sept – Mid OctRUT: Elk – Mid Sept – Mid Oct►Tend to stay near Water.Tend to stay near Water.► In the National Parks they are almost In the National Parks they are almost

domestic but are unpredictable during domestic but are unpredictable during the RUT.the RUT.

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DomesticDomestic

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PREVENTIONPREVENTION

►There is signage for all types of There is signage for all types of Wildlife.Wildlife.

►The Signs are well coded.The Signs are well coded.

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Light Conditions at time of the Light Conditions at time of the IncidentsIncidents

Statistics - CanadaStatistics - CanadaStatistics - CanadaStatistics - Canada

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Time of DayTime of Day

• Game movements will differ by season Game movements will differ by season and time of day. and time of day.

►The hour around dawn and dusk are the The hour around dawn and dusk are the heaviest movement times (half hour heaviest movement times (half hour before and after sunrise or Sunset).before and after sunrise or Sunset).

►What time is sunrise or sunset, do I What time is sunrise or sunset, do I have to travel one hour before or one have to travel one hour before or one hour after these times?hour after these times?

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Safety Check: Driver FatigueSafety Check: Driver Fatigue

►There seems to be a correlation There seems to be a correlation between the Animal Strikes and between the Animal Strikes and Fatigue.Fatigue.

►The frequency of Animal Strikes and The frequency of Animal Strikes and time or light conditions.time or light conditions.

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Time of Day- Fatigue and Time of Day- Fatigue and Crashes…Crashes…

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What Do We Mean By Fatigue?What Do We Mean By Fatigue?

► Reduced AttentionReduced Attention► Increased Reaction TimeIncreased Reaction Time► Impaired Physical/Mental/PerformanceImpaired Physical/Mental/Performance► Reduced Ability To Integrate InformationReduced Ability To Integrate Information► Irritability, Short FuseIrritability, Short Fuse► Reduced Ability To Respond Appropriately To Reduced Ability To Respond Appropriately To

Complex, Stressful SituationsComplex, Stressful Situations► Spontaneous SleepSpontaneous Sleep

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Why Worry About Fatigue?Why Worry About Fatigue?

► Fatigue can lead to errorsFatigue can lead to errors► Fatigue increases the risk of serious accidentsFatigue increases the risk of serious accidents► Driver Safety can be improved by managing Driver Safety can be improved by managing

fatiguefatigue

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Strike LocationStrike Location

Lease31%

Urban4%

Hwy65%

Statistics - CanadaStatistics - CanadaStatistics - CanadaStatistics - Canada

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Spot Wildlife Spot Wildlife soonersooner

Often it is almost impossible to Often it is almost impossible to spot a well hidden animal, their spot a well hidden animal, their eyes are perfectly symmetrical eyes are perfectly symmetrical and reflective of light in day and and reflective of light in day and night. night.

You can train your eyes to You can train your eyes to become attuned to small dark become attuned to small dark round objects as well. You can round objects as well. You can often spot an animal by it’s eye often spot an animal by it’s eye alone.alone.

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KNOW YOUR AREAKNOW YOUR AREA

You can reduce your chances of a You can reduce your chances of a wildlife encounter by knowing the wildlife encounter by knowing the

type of wildlife in your area of type of wildlife in your area of travel and how to react to the travel and how to react to the

conditions, slow down.conditions, slow down.

Eg. During Planting or Harvesting Eg. During Planting or Harvesting there will be more wildlife on the there will be more wildlife on the move from the Farm Machinerymove from the Farm Machinery

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Know the type of WildlifeKnow the type of Wildlife

Here are mule deer, how many do Here are mule deer, how many do you see?you see?

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Know the type of WildlifeKnow the type of Wildlife

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Train your eyesTrain your eyes

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Reconsider your Road RadarReconsider your Road Radar

►What is the moon phase and how What is the moon phase and how will it effect their movement?will it effect their movement?

►What season am I in and how will it What season am I in and how will it affect the animals? affect the animals?

► Is it hunting season and are hunters Is it hunting season and are hunters pushing animals around increasing pushing animals around increasing the chance of encounters on roads the chance of encounters on roads or highways? or highways?

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RadarRadar

►Will I be driving through wooded areas Will I be driving through wooded areas or old farmsteads on my travel route? or old farmsteads on my travel route? Identify key movement areas as you Identify key movement areas as you drive.drive.

►Animals on the road are unpredictable, Animals on the road are unpredictable, keep your vehicle straight, and make keep your vehicle straight, and make noise to get the animal moving out of noise to get the animal moving out of the path of your vehicle. Slow down or the path of your vehicle. Slow down or stop if safe to do so. stop if safe to do so.

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Radar (cont.)Radar (cont.)

►How did that animal react to the car in How did that animal react to the car in front of me? Be prepared and do not front of me? Be prepared and do not assume the reaction will be the same assume the reaction will be the same for you.for you.

The above points are not proof against a The above points are not proof against a collision with an animal, but in collision with an animal, but in Assessing and analyzing the risk allows Assessing and analyzing the risk allows you to ensure you are acting safely.you to ensure you are acting safely.

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Characteristics of Driver’s who don’t hit wildlife:

►Use high beams whenever possible►Scan the ditches for movement and

eyes►Slow down in areas of known deer

activity ►Recognize high population areas

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Characteristics of Driver’s who don’t hit wildlife:

►Recognize road/bush characteristics that will attract deer

►Slow down even when the deer is not on the road

►Always anticipate more than one deer and expect erratic movements

►Recognize the glow of the eyes in the headlights

►Plan their drive to avoid ‘deer rush hour’

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Personal Protective Personal Protective EquipmentEquipment

►Moose BumpersMoose Bumpers

►Yellow Tinted Glasses for Adverse Yellow Tinted Glasses for Adverse ConditionsConditions

►Night Vision CamerasNight Vision Cameras

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How to Avoid Wildlife How to Avoid Wildlife IncidentsIncidents

Understand the Wildlife Understand the Wildlife SeasonSeason

Know the type of wildlifeKnow the type of wildlife

Know your areaKnow your area

Train your eyesTrain your eyes

Reconsider your Road RadarReconsider your Road Radar

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Evasive ManeuversEvasive Maneuvers

►Brake effectively.Brake effectively.►AIR-HORNAIR-HORN►Company Policy DictatesCompany Policy Dictates►Dangerous Goods ( eg. Liquid): Dangerous Goods ( eg. Liquid): Hold the Line and Stay in your lane.Hold the Line and Stay in your lane.►PDIC: Go Right to edge of shoulder. PDIC: Go Right to edge of shoulder. ►Do not go off the road or try to pass Do not go off the road or try to pass

the deer.the deer.

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Proper Documentation &Proper Documentation & Secure area Secure area

►PicturesPictures►Accident ReportAccident Report►Danger to public if Carcass is left on roadDanger to public if Carcass is left on road►Emergency Procedures (Company)Emergency Procedures (Company)►Proper Placement of Triangles marking Proper Placement of Triangles marking

Incident.Incident.►Evidence (Be Careful): the animal does Evidence (Be Careful): the animal does

not have to be chained to the truck.not have to be chained to the truck.

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ContributorsContributors

► Don Chapman ; Canadian FreightwaysDon Chapman ; Canadian Freightways► Ray Hamel; Imperial OilRay Hamel; Imperial Oil► Kim Hrushenski; Partners in ComplianceKim Hrushenski; Partners in Compliance► Rob Found; Department of Biological Rob Found; Department of Biological

Sciences; University of AlbertaSciences; University of Alberta► Mark S. Boyce; Department of Biological Mark S. Boyce; Department of Biological

Sciences; University of AlbertaSciences; University of Alberta► The hundreds of Professional Driver’s: I work The hundreds of Professional Driver’s: I work

with everyday.with everyday.

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Questions?Questions?