Motorcyclist injured in dramatic wild animal accident near Clausthal Zellerfeld

Motorcyclist injured in dramatic wild animal accident near Clausthal Zellerfeld

On Tuesday evening, June 18, 2025, there was a serious accident involving wild animals on the B 242 between Braunlage and Clausthal-Zellerfeld. At around 10:30 p.m., a motorcycle with two occupants collided with a deer that unexpectedly crossed the road. The impact was violent and caused the motorcycle to fall and slide several meters across the road. Both occupants - the driver and his passenger - were injured and had to be immediately taken to hospital in an ambulance. Information on this was provided by the Goslar police, who also warned of an increased risk of wildlife crossing in the region.

The exact injuries to the two motorcyclists are currently not known. But such game accidents are not uncommon and can have serious consequences for everyone involved. According to regionalheute.de, thousands of such incidents are not only jeopardized, but also affect the existing kind of endangered wildlife.

A growing problem

Wildlife accidents represent a serious risk in road traffic. In 2021, an increase in serious wildlife accidents was recorded compared to the previous year, which highlights the need to take preventative measures. The amount of damage to cars caused by wildlife accidents amounted to a total of 940 million euros in 2021, which often has annoying financial consequences for the road users affected. The BASt reports on the introduction of game crossing traffic signs, wildlife protection fences and other measures to reduce the number of accidents. However, many “minor accidents” are not recorded by the police, which makes comprehensive statistics difficult.

There are a variety of approaches to get the traffic growth and the associated risk of accidents involving wildlife under control. These include, among other things, electronic wildlife warning systems that are intended to warn of collisions. However, previous research shows that these systems still have room for improvement. In particular, the practice of using wildlife warning reflectors does not seem to have the desired effect in reality. It often remains unclear how wild animals react to such techniques and whether they change their behavior as a result.

Prevention and research

The BAST works to better understand the causes of game accidents and to develop effective prevention measures. Studies on game accidents and the effects of climate change on the habitats of the animals show that cut habitats are dangerous for wild animals due to heated traffic. This makes it clear that not only road traffic safety, but also the protection of our wildlife should go hand in hand.

The tragic incident on the B 242 recently shows once again how important it is to be aware of the dangers through game changes. Drivers, especially motorcyclists, should be particularly careful in forested areas to prevent accidents. Stay vigilant and safe on the streets!