Seven B.C. SPCA recommendations to avoid collisions with wildlife

Statistics show the Southern Interior sees almost double the number of animal-involved collisions as anywhere else in the province.

An ICBC statistic sheet looked at crashes where a wild or domestic animal was involved over five years, from 2012 to 2016.

The Southern Interior had an approximate 4,700 incidents where two people died per year calculated over a five-year average.

To be clear, that number is not how many animal-involved collisions happened over the five years, that's the average. Meaning every year there were approximately that many incidents with 2016 being the worst at 5,200 crashes, with two human fatalities.

North Central B.C. came in second with a 2,700 incident average and one fatality per year.

There could be a number of variables affecting these numbers like population density, geography and infrastructure, but the SPCA has released a list of measures drivers can take to avoid these collisions that cost animal and people their lives.

• Pay attention to wildlife warning signs
  These do indicate wildlife collision hot spots.
   
• Stay within the recommended speed limit 
  Also reduce your speed in areas of limited visibility.
   
• Be vigilant and scan the road shoulders for animals
  Particularly at dawn and dusk.
   
• Keep an eye out for shining eyes on the side of the road
  Animal peepers will be highlighted by your headlights.
   
• Watch for flashing brake lights on the car ahead
  This could possibly be indicating wildlife on the road, or other hazards.
   
• Do not honk or flash your lights at wildlife
  Rather than warning them away, this will only startle them or potentially cause them to panic and bolt into further danger.
   
• Don't litter
  Animals are drawn to roads to eat the litter thrown out of cars. Predators like owls may also be drawn to the roads to eat these animals. Dispose your trash at home or in the appropriate receptical. 

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