It’s finally summer, a time when friends and families take to the roads for exciting vacations. Leaving the concrete jungle in exchange for the great outdoors is a top choice for people all over the country as they travel the highways in search of adventure in America’s National Parks and wilderness areas. These areas draw people in by the thousands offering pristine landscapes, wide open spaces and amazing wildlife. From black bears in Shenandoah to buffalo in Yellowstone, nature lovers from all over will converge on these parks to enjoy their natural splendor.
With the increased traffic on our nation’s roads, highways and National Parks comes the increased potential for deadly wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs). WVCs in National Parks have been on the rise the past several years. For example, in 2008 there were 98 WVCs in Grand Teton National Park. Just two years later, in 2010, there were 162. These collisions play out every day around the country, and several have devastating outcomes. Each year more than 200 people and one million vertebrates are killed in WVCs.
Most collisions are with deer; however no animal is safe from WVCs. Moose, ducks, and turtles all run the risk of being involved in these accidents. Recently there have been several news stories about deadly encounters with bears on the roads, including this devastating story that took place in Canada a few weeks ago and this crash that happened in Yellowstone National Park.
So what can you do to stay safe while enjoying your summer break? Slow down and be alert when driving through wildlife areas. Limit driving through wildlife areas at times when animals are most active; dawn and dusk are times when driver visibility is lowest and wildlife most active. Not littering and keeping up with regular car maintenance can also reduce your risk of causing WVCs. For more tips and help with what to do after a collision, visit our website at www.watchoutforwildlife.org.
Keep these tips in mind while driving to your favorite vacation spot this summer so you and wildlife can stay safe on our roads!
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