Attention Wild! District takes action against fatal accidents

Attention Wild! District takes action against fatal accidents

As is well known, autumn is harvest time - but also the time when accidents with wildlife increase rapidly. This danger is also prevalent in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, where the game problem occurs particularly on the B321 between Bandenitz and Hagenow. Today, on September 30, 2025, svz.de reported that every second accident in the district in question is a wildlife accident. With an alarming number of 32,297 wildlife accidents between 2015 and the end of 2024, including two fatalities, there is a need for action.

To improve the situation, new measures have been introduced. Large “Caution Wild” signs and “wildlife accident tripods” are intended to raise awareness among drivers and point out the dangers that occur, especially at dusk and at night. Such signs can be found not only on the B321, but also in other endangered places such as the B104 between Cambs and Weitendorf as well as the L05 from Wittenburg to Boddin and the B192 from Goldberg to Neu Poserin. There is also increased focus on the L037 up to the district border. These initiatives aim to raise awareness among road users and prevent accidents.

Statistical insights and planned actions

The numbers speak for themselves: an average of 3,230 wildlife accidents have occurred per year in recent years, including 35 seriously injured and 271 slightly injured. This shows that wild animals, especially red deer, which can weigh up to 350 kilograms, pose a danger in road traffic that should not be underestimated. A key goal of the new strategy is therefore a targeted reduction in speed on the affected roads, which often border on forests or fields.

The planned measures also include increased speed controls and traffic monitoring on vulnerable routes. This is intended not only to document the driving speed of road users, but also to evaluate the success of the new project to reduce accidents involving wildlife.

Another aspect that can contribute to increasing road safety is the collection of wildlife accident data, as is also carried out in Baden-Württemberg. They rely on a central system in which data on accidents involving wildlife, both with and without personal injuries, is recorded. This data is intended to be used to develop specific recommendations for more effective wildlife accident prevention.

Risk factors at a glance

Autumn is considered a particularly risky time when wild animals are more often on the roads. According to the Consumer Protection Forum, roads that lead through forested areas or are close to agricultural areas are particularly at risk. Drivers are therefore advised to drive more slowly and pay greater attention to wild animals, especially at dusk.

The ongoing analysis and identification of main accident routes, as is already being researched in Baden-Württemberg, are also crucial. There are around 421 routes here that have been identified as particularly problematic. Such data is important for developing effective prevention measures. Over 76,000 wildlife accident data are available for evaluation from the last few years alone and show that efficient prevention must be based on well-founded statistics.

Overall, it is clear that both preventative measures and improved awareness among road users are necessary in order to reduce the number of accidents involving wildlife in the long term. For many, autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons, but also a time that involves considerable risks - so the motto is: Be cautious and stay alert!