NSW Ambulance is advising road users to be aware of wildlife while on our roads following a spike in crashes with kangaroos. Since August 1, 2017, paramedics have attended 38 collisions involving kangaroos, three for wombats and two for possums. On Friday night (27/10), a 57-year old male motorcyclist died after colliding with a feral pig on a country road at Coolah.
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NSW Ambulance Inspector Rhys Dive said dry weather and soaring temperatures was forcing wildlife to road sides, looking for plant growth. Over the past two years paramedics have attended 224 incidents involving wildlife. It’s estimated that one in seven crashes on country roads involves animals.
Insp Dive said avoiding animals on roads and bush tracks involves a degree of luck, however there are ways to minimise the risk. He said incidents included vehicles losing control and either rolling or colliding with trees and other obstacles, and sudden braking that results in collisions with other vehicles, including rear-enders.
Insp Dive advised people to stay alert and slow down, especially at sunrise and sunset when visibility is decreased and animals tend to be more active. The NSW Centre for Road Safety further advises people to reduce speed when they see animal warning signs; only brake when it is safe to do so; and never swerve – it is safer to hit an animal than swerve and lose control of your vehicle.
If you find injured wildlife, call WIRES on 1300 094 737