Why winter risks for moose collisions are higher
Wildlife collisions peak in the winter months, and as one man recounts, the damage from hitting a moose can be rather bad.
All Curtis Matwishyn saw as he approached a full-grown bull moose at highway speed was a patch of white fur. That, and an outline of something big.
Seconds later––impact.
Now, two months later and still on the mend, he’s echoing experts in calling for caution on the roads as peak moose collision season arrives.
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“I imagine it was probably only 15 or 20 feet in front of me, stationary, before my headlights illuminated that white patch,” Matwishyn told The Weather Network in a recent interview.
“I’m always scanning for the glow of the eye, but the fact it was such a tall animal and the fact it was probably looking across the highway, there was no glow at all.”
Curtis Matwishyn. (Curtis Matwishyn/Submitted to The Weather Network)
Bull moose can weigh up to 500 kilograms and grow to nearly two metres tall. This one was fully mature.
Under a moonless Saskatchewan night, Matwishyn had no time to evade the behemoth beast.
The moose went tumbling over his vehicle, nearly completely shearing off the roof and windows of the low-lying convertible, and hitting Matwishyn on the head in the process.
The vehicle, of course, was a complete writeoff. Photos of the aftermath show a crushed windshield, large dents and even a cracked headrest.
Matwishyn himself, meanwhile, suffered a large cut to his head and fractured five vertebrae.
He’s still dealing with symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, neck pain and trouble swallowing.
All things considered, though, he’s hoping to make a full recovery and says it could have been worse.
Damaged car seat (Curtis Matwishyn/Submitted to The Weather Network)
“It’s not the best, but, thankfully, in the last few weeks I’m starting to see some progress moving my neck,” he said.
“It was definitely a scary experience and a wake-up call, and I’m lucky I’m still here.”
Now, as the wildland firefighter completes rehab with hopes of returning to work, Matwishyn is urging drivers to hit the roads with caution this winter, especially as British Columbia government data shows most moose collisions occur in December and January.
As snow and harsh weather hit higher elevations, animals like moose migrate to valley bottoms to more easily find food. Of course, that’s where we build most of our roads.
According to the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program (WCPP), collisions are especially prevalent immediately after periods of snow when wildlife find freshly cleared roadways convenient for travel and foraging.
(Getty Images)
Some animals are also attracted to anti-icing agents like salt.
“If the snow is deeper everywhere else, why wouldn’t you find the path of least resistance?” said Jadzia Porter, WCPP program co-ordinator.
“And if the snow is piled up high enough they might not be able to get off the roads, and they may get stressed and start acting nervously.”
As Porter explains, most things you can do to lower collision risk are pretty simple.
Put winter tires on your car, ensure your headlights are clean, maintain your brakes and make sure your fluids are topped off so you can keep your windshield clean before you head out. All of the above will help you stop sooner and quicker, too.
Porter also advises drivers to remain hyper-aware on the roads, especially if driving at night, continuously scanning the roadside for movement, glowing eyes and flickering headlights, which could indicate an animal passing in front of an approaching vehicle.
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia data suggests there are three deaths resulting from wildlife collisions per year on average. (ICBC/Submitted to The Weather Network)
Further data shows December collisions peak specifically between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m, as daylight fades and wildlife feel more comfortable in exposed areas.
But Matwishyn’s biggest piece of advice is to give your journey as much daylight as possible. The accident occurred the night of Oct. 7 as Matwishyn drove from Prince Albert, Sask., towards his home at Waskesiu Lake.
“If you don’t have to drive when it’s dark outside, if you can avoid that, you’ll be better off,” he cautioned. “It was a dark animal, on a dark roadway. I didn’t see it at all.”
Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images/Karyn Schiller:890208688-170667a.
