During the fall season moose and deer tend to be out and about more which can lead to collisions. (Ryan Brook/Twitter)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Driving Safe This Fall

Organizations encouraging drivers to break

Oct 19, 2019 | 8:00 AM

SGI and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation are teaming up to ask drivers to be cautious about wildlife on highways.

The Give Wildlife a Break campaign aims to make motorists more aware about the presence of animals like deer and moose on the province’s highways with an advertising campaign involving a wide variety of media. This time of year is when collisions are more likely because animals are more active as it is breeding season.

Tyler McMurchy, Manager of Media Relations with SGI said incidents involving vehicles and wildlife are something the insurer has to deal with.

“Last year we saw around $83 million in claims related to wildlife collisions, the vast majority are related to deer collisions,” he said.

According to McMurchy in 2018 the average cost for a claim involving a collision with a deer was just under $6,000. Last year there were over 12,000 collisions involving deer that were reported to SGI.

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Collisions involving moose occur much less often. According to SGI there were over 500 in 2018. However, the average cost of a claim involving a vehicle and moose is almost $10,000.

“They’re larger, they’re heavier, they do more damage when you hit them,” McMurchy said.

McMurchy added as the technology on cars and other vehicles has become more advanced, they become more expensive to repair. In 2006 SGI reported the number of collisions was similar in terms of the number when compared with 2018. However, the cost of repair was only $29 million.

Besides the financial costs, McMurchy said in 2018 there were over 300 people hurt as a result of collisions with wildlife. There were also three people who were killed.

“That’s a very significant thing to keep in mind as well,” he said.

When it comes to avoiding collisions with wildlife, SGI recommends drivers be alert. This includes making sure to slow down if you see an animal near the road. It is also recommended that drivers slow down when they see signs warning them about animals in an area.

People who hit animals are advised to call police if anyone is injured or there is serious damage.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn