Hoot Guide to animals on the roadsRoad traffic accidents which involve animals represent a serious danger both to Britain's motorists and its wildlife. It's hard to say how many such accidents occur in this country, as there is no legal requirement to report collisions with free-roaming animals, such as deer or foxes. However, it has been estimated that deer deaths alone top 40,000 a year, and crashes with them are blamed for around 500 personal injuries to drivers and their passengers. Besides the potential for injury and loss of life, hitting even the smallest animals can cause serious damage to your car, leaving you to choose between an expensive garage bill or the loss of no claims discount on your cheap car insurance. Sadly, some accidents involving animals are inevitable - and that will continue to be the case as long as cars are still being driven. But plenty more could be prevented if motorists were more alert to the potential hazard of stray fauna on our roads, and adjusted their driving behaviour accordingly. This guide covers what warning signs to look out for when driving - so you'll be better prepared for an animal crossing your path - and what to do if that happens, including advice on how to minimise the risk of personal injury if collision is inevitable. The warning signs
While you can't predict every stray cat or dog that's going to run out in front of your car, an awareness of the kinds of places animals tend to cross the road will definitely save a few furry lives - and a few cheap car insurance rates, too.
The most obvious warning signs are the signs themselves, installed by councils to inform drivers that larger animals frequently stray onto the road at that point. These are only put up where the problem is most acute, so you need to be extra-vigilant whenever you see one. The absence of a warning sign doesn't mean animal crossing is unlikely, however, and you need to be on your guard for more natural indicators too. Any road with fields or forests on either side is likely running through the natural habitat or foraging ground of all kinds of wildlife. Pay particular attention when a stream or drainage ditch runs alongside these roads, as animals will most likely need to cross for a drink. Animal crossings are also more common in certain seasons and at certain times of the day. Spring tends to yield the highest number as there are lots of young, inexperienced creatures about, and the abundant plant growth in ditches and on verges tempts many of them to the roadside. As for time of day: collision rates peak at dawn and dusk because many species are most active then. Low light levels will also make it harder for you to spot them, so be especially careful at these times. Responding to animal hazards
So, you're out driving early one spring morning through verdant countryside and you've just spotted a 'deer crossing' sign. What steps should you take, as a driver, to lower the risk of a collision?
The first is to reduce your speed. It's tempting to drive fast on country roads when no other cars are around, but in truth this is just inviting deer-shaped disaster. Driving at or under the posted limit gives you more time to respond to oncoming hazards, including stray fauna. The other key response is to start actively watching for animals: on the verge, hard shoulder, even surrounding fields, as well as on the road itself. At night, put your headlamps on full beam whenever possible (i.e. without blinding oncoming traffic) and watch for shining eyes in the distance or flickering lights on the car in front - a sure sign that some creature is crossing between you. Be wary of a lone creature that crosses harmlessly in front of you, particularly if it belongs in a herd - more could well be on the way. Also, never assume animals that are stood still by the roadside will stay that way when you pass. Your approach could trigger a last-minute reaction that sends them darting into your path. If you do spot something and it isn't going to get out of your way in time, check your mirrors to see if you have room for an emergency stop. Sadly, if another car is following too close for you to stop safely, your next-best option is to keep going - and hit the animal. In most cases, swerving to avoid such a collision is considerably more dangerous for you than the collision itself would have been. You might feel guilty afterwards, but this way at least your life, car and cheap car insurance rate will have been preserved. Try cheap car insurance from Hoot
If you're feeling guilty over some roadkill, you could always give some money to an animal charity to make up for it. And if you're a little short on money, why not consider getting cheap car insurance from Hoot Car Insurance Services?
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