road safety

One of the best things about driving in the country is seeing wildlife along the way. But thousands of animals get injured or killed every year on Victorian roads. Here are some simple tips about how to avoid hitting an animal when on the road.

avoid driving in animal peak hour

Avoid driving at dawn and dusk and a few hours after dark (or "at night time") in areas populated by wildlife as this is when animals are more likely to be moving around and feeding.

be alert

Keep alert in areas likely to be populated by wildlife, such as country roads or national parks. Be cautious, scanning both the road ahead and the roadsides. Get any passengers to help and pay attention to any warning signs (eg "Kangaroos next 10 km"). Animals can appear quickly from the roadsides and some may be difficult to see against the black bitumen of the road. Be aware of traffic behind you, as well as oncoming traffic.

don't drive faster than conditions allow

Driving slower when visibility is poor or where you expect animals might appear gives you greater reaction time and a better chance of avoiding a collision with an animal.

use high beams for better visibility

When safe to do so, use your high beam headlights so that you can see further when driving at night. However, if you see an animal ahead, dip your headlights. Bright lights can dazzle animals and rather than move off the road, they may remain stationary and in the path of your vehicle.

don't put your own safety at risk

Your safety always comes first. If you see an animal, your natural instinct may be to swerve sharply to avoid hitting it, but this could put you and other motorists in danger. Always maintain full control of your vehicle. Sometimes, it may be impossible to avoid a collision with an animal.

give an animal time and space to move off the road

Some animals may act unpredictably, so where possible, give them plenty of time and room to move off the road. when passing them. Brake safely and, if necessary, sound your horn in a series of short bursts, then drive slowly past the animal.

don't litter

Throwing food scraps out of your car is illegal and it may also attract wildlife to feed on the sides of roads, increasing the risk of injury. Do the right thing. Find a bin your litter or responsibly dispose of it when you arrive home.

assisting injured animals

If you do hit an animal or see an injured animal whilst driving in Victoria contact RACV's roadside assistance centre