Attention drivers: accidents involving wildlife in Western Pomerania are increasing rapidly!

Attention drivers: accidents involving wildlife in Western Pomerania are increasing rapidly!

In the heavily forested region of Western Pomerania and the Mecklenburg Lake District, drivers are currently confronted with a worrying fact: the number of accidents involving wildlife is increasing rapidly. Loud NDR There have been almost 500 collisions between cars and wild animals since the beginning of August, with the districts of Vorpommern-Rügen and Vorpommern-Greifswald being the hotspots. 232 wildlife accidents were registered in the Vorpommern-Rügen district alone and 249 in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district. The animals are particularly active in the months of September and October, as the red deer's mating season is approaching and many animals are looking for food and hiding places.

How much the situation is getting worse is shown by 40 wildlife accidents in just 26 hours, which were registered in the districts of Vorpommern-Greifswald, Vorpommern-Rügen and the Mecklenburg Lake District. The results are shocking and include numerous dead deer as well as some foxes and deer that have died n-tv reported. Damages amounting to around 51,000 euros are attributed to the damaged vehicles.

Be careful on the roads

The police are warning drivers to be particularly careful on routes with wildlife crossing signs. Collisions often occur on small secondary roads as well as main roads. Particular caution is required in the morning and during the late afternoon and evening hours. Drivers who spot a wild animal on the road should remain calm: under no circumstances should they swerve wildly, but instead brake, hold the steering wheel and, if necessary, honk. It is also important to be aware that a collision with game must be reported in any case, regardless of the condition of the animal.

If an accident does occur, the vehicle should be parked and the scene of the accident secured, as should the KFV notes. The police and hunters are responsible for rescuing the injured or dead animal.

Causes and effects

The frequent occurrence of wildlife accidents is not just a local phenomenon. Similar trends can be seen in Austria, where around 73,000 wildlife accidents are registered every year. The main causes are often carelessness and inadequate speed. The necessary attention in road traffic is crucial here, because around 55 percent of accidents involving wildlife involve deer. Climate change and recreational use have changed wildlife behavior patterns, leading to increased road crossings.

In Western Pomerania it is now the heavily frequented federal roads, such as the B105 and B96 on Rügen, that are considered accident hotspots. The B110 between Relzow and Murchin and the B109 in the Karlsburg Forest area are also regularly reported about accidents involving wildlife.

The accompanying measures to reduce the risk of accidents involving wildlife, such as the installation of wildlife warning reflectors and traffic signs, are of vital importance. And the increased awareness of drivers also has a major impact on road safety during wildlife movement times.