Elk v motorist crash near Trail prompts police warning
By Trail Champion
On April 30, at 5:30 a.m., Trail and Greater District RCMP received a report that a brown 2007 GMC Sierra pick up truck was involved in a collision with an elk on Highway 22A near Trail, according to Trail RCMP NCOIC Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.
“The elk was deceased and damaged to the vehicle was estimated to be over $10,000,” Wicentowich said. “The driver, a 53-year-old Fruitvale man, was reportedly uninjured by the incident.
There is an average of 9,900 crashes involving animals each year in BC. In addition to being mindful of the posted highway signs warning of animal collisions, ICBC and the Province of BC provide some helpful tips to avoid hitting wildlife:
- Be extra careful in the early morning or at dusk and during the night. These times are when animals are most likely to be on the road.
- Slow down and look ahead into the ditch for movement or for the reflection of animal eyes in your headlights.
- Some animals, especially deer, may panic when they see your headlights and may freeze in the road. If you see an animal, slow down until you are well past them.
- Moose will often attempt to escape from a car by continuing to run along the road. This may pose a hazard to other drivers. If it is safe to do so, pull over or slow to a very low speed until the animal leaves the road.
- Many animals travel in groups. If you see one on the road, slow down – there may be more following.
- In the summer, many young creatures become more mobile, and they are likely to join their parents crossing the road to find new habitat.
- Please report dead or injured animals on the road to the local RCMP or the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. Don’t approach the animal yourself—it could be dangerous.
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