Animal road accidents are on the rise: we give you the numbers, tips, and how Help Flash can help if you're involved in a collision.
Last June , RACE, together with the German association ADAC, produced a report on the number of animal accidents on intercity roads. They also conducted a simulation to test the consequences of a collision with a 40kg animal at a speed of 80km/h.
Entering data
From 2015 to 2018 (latest data provided by the DGT), accidents involving animals have increased by 21%.
RACE interviewed 1,332 Spanish drivers, 88% of whom had encountered an animal on the road at some point.
One of the consequences of the lockdown is the repossession of some spaces, previously occupied only by humans, by animals, so this problem is expected to worsen in 2020.
What risky situations do animals pose?... and how should you react?
Of the total number of drivers surveyed, 57% acknowledged that the presence of animals on the road created a risky situation for them .
73% had to perform emergency braking; 50% swerved; and 24% crossed into the oncoming lane. In addition, 4% left the road, and 3% crashed or had other incidents.
As for recommendations, of course, the first is to reduce speed in areas where we may encounter loose animals .
But also if you come across an animal:
- If you are stopped in front of him, avoid constantly honking your horn, as he may get scared and make unpredictable movements; gentle taps are better.
- If you must pass by the animal, do so slowly .
- If you are driving with high beams , switch to low beams to avoid dazzling your child and causing them to stop on the road.
- If an accident is imminent, avoid swerving , hold the steering wheel firmly and try to stop the car in a controlled manner.
Consequences of running over an animal
The study by RACE and the German automobile club ADAC shows that, when we see an animal at a distance of 60 meters, we can brake without colliding as long as we are traveling at a speed between 60 and 80 km/h (braking to a stop).
On the other hand, if we're traveling at 100 km/h, we would need 79.2 meters to stop, which means we'd hit the animal at a speed of 61.1 km/h. And, of course, if we're traveling at 120 km/h, the accident will be more serious: at that speed, we'd need a total of 92.8 meters to stop our vehicle; which means we'd hit the animal at 79.8 km/h.
And if I've run over him, what do I do?
- As in any other accident , stay calm and proceed safely .
- Before leaving your car, it's important to pull it to the side of the road and signal it. Keep in mind that most accidents occur on secondary roads and at night, so a V16 Help Flash beacon is the ideal option .
- If it is safe, always get out of the car with your vest on , check the animal's situation and call the Civil Guard so that
appear at the scene of the events.
-If the animal has died and is obstructing traffic, it should be removed from the road if possible . There is a risk of infection, so don't do this without gloves.
