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Attention, drivers! The time change threatens wildlife accidents in Vogtland!
With the time change, the risk of accidents involving wildlife in the Zwickau district increases. Police give important safety tips.
Attention, drivers! The time change threatens wildlife accidents in Vogtland!
Twilight not only brings romantic evening hours, but also an increased risk of accidents involving wildlife. With the impending end of summer time next weekend, drivers in Cologne and the surrounding area need to be particularly careful. The reason: The time change shifts rush hour traffic to dawn and dusk, when wild animals are most active. Loud Free press The most important times for potential wildlife accidents are precisely in these phases.
Every year, wildlife accidents increase in the darker seasons. The police warn of the dangers that autumn brings with it. In total, more than 276,000 wildlife accidents occurred in Germany in 2024, which corresponds to an average of around 750 per day. According to information from, the highest risk of accidents exists ZDF especially at dusk, especially on roads near meadows, fields and forests.
Police recommendations
What should road users do if they encounter a wild animal on the road? The ADAC gives clear advice: Drivers should brake in a controlled manner, dim their headlights and honk several times to acoustically orient the animal. Wild animals often do not travel alone and other animals could follow. If a collision actually occurs, experts recommend holding the steering wheel and staying in your lane to avoid more serious consequences.
The period from October to December is particularly critical as many wild animals are more active during the rutting season. This is especially true for deer, which could be on the roads frequently in the coming weeks. The likelihood of being hit by wild cats also increases, as young wild cats are looking for their own areas to roam. These animals are considered to be at risk of extinction in Saxony, which is why drivers are asked to be more careful in wooded areas such as Time reported.
Consequences and amount of damage
The consequences of accidents involving wildlife are often serious. In 2024, there were 149 wildlife accidents with injured people in Saxony, 32 of which were seriously injured. This shows how important it is to drive carefully, especially at dusk. In addition to the human injuries, the financial impact is enormous: damage caused by wildlife accidents exceeds one billion euros nationwide. The average amount of damage per collision is around 4,100 euros, which is an increase of 250 euros compared to the previous year.
How to deal with a wildlife accident is also important. The police must always be called, even if no one has been injured. Issuing a wildlife accident certificate and taking photographs of the scene of the accident are essential for quick claims settlement. In addition, in many federal states a hunter must be informed and dead or injured game may not be touched, as this is usually the responsibility of the foresters or hunting tenants.
With this in mind: When driving, pay particular attention to dusk and the associated danger of wildlife crossing. Increased awareness can not only save your safety, but also the lives of animals on the roads.