We all love moose, right? Although the number of moose in Algonquin Park changes from year to year, a few thousand moose call Algonquin Park home. We share the park with many permanent wildlife residents… let’s help give them a chance!
Highway 60 through Algonquin carries a lot of traffic, especially in summer and fall. Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation has reported more than 10,000 collisions with wildlife in a single year.
Sadly, we’ve seen first-hand what happens when it goes wrong: read Tragic Weekend: 3 Moose Hit on Hwy 60.
9 Tips to Avoid a Moose Collision
We’ve put together some safety tips below:
1. Drive more cautiously. It’s common for us to drive in a state of “auto pilot” without paying attention to our surroundings. Be alert and play the “what if” game while driving through the park. “What if there’s a moose standing on the road over this hill?” “What if there’s a moose and a calf crossing around this corner?” Animals are active 24 hours a day. Being aware at all times will help your chances of avoiding an unfortunate wildlife collision.
2. Drive the speed limit. The speed limit through Algonquin Park is 80km per hour. However, it’s common to see cars and trucks reaching speeds over 100km per hour. Instead, take the time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Keep your attention on high alert and keep scanning the roadsides for any signs of wildlife.
3. Dawn and dusk are often the most dangerous for wildlife collisions. Drive with extra caution during these times of day. Drive with your high beams on when it gets dark, but also be courteous of oncoming traffic while doing so. Remember to switch to low beams while traffic is approaching to avoid blinding the other driver. Please don’t drive behind someone with your high beams on as it’ll be more distracting for the driver ahead of you. Large animal collisions spike in May and June and again in the autumn months during mating season.
4. Ask others in your vehicle to scan the roadsides, too. Ask everyone to put down their electronic devices and enjoy the drive together. It’s exciting to come across a moose while driving as long as you have time to slow down and enjoy the moment.
5. If you come across a moose (or any wildlife) in the park, and want to enjoy a few moments of watching their behaviour, please safely pull over onto the shoulder. Remember this is a highway and many large vehicles pass through Algonquin Park daily. Make sure your vehicle is safely off of the main highway and your wheels are over the shoulder white line. Turn your four-way hazard lights on to warn other drivers to slow down. It’s exactly how we do it on every Algonquin Park workshop: safely onto the shoulder, hazards on, and plenty of room for the animal.
6. Remember that wildlife can be very unpredictable. Sometimes honking your horn can spook the animal and cause it to run back onto the highway. It’s recommended to put your hazard lights on, slow down and observe the behaviour of the animal while passing by slowly. Be aware of traffic behind you, too, as we’ve seen accidents occur while slowing down too fast and not pulling over safely.
7. When there’s one animal, there might be more! Often times we’ll see a moose on one side of the road, and occasionally there’s another one or two on the other side of the highway attempting to cross. Remember to always be alert on both sides, even if you only see one.
What to Do If You Hit a Moose
8. In the event of a collision, pull over safely. Try to catch your breath and remain calm. Do not approach the injured animal as it can be dangerous. Be sure to put your four-way hazard lights on to warn other drivers.
9. It’s a good idea to report the location of your collision even if your car hasn’t been damaged, as this helps officials monitor any injured animals or recover animals that may have been fatally hit. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the animal is blocking the road. Otherwise, report it to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Algonquin Park Information Line at 705-633-5572.
