Turning back the clock - Danger for wildlife!

We are approaching the time of the year when we put our clocks on winter time 29th of October. Every time we transition from daylight saving time to standard time we gain an extra hour of sleep. This is a small change for people but it has significant consequences for animals. As we make this shift, wildlife faces unexpected challenges that can result in accidents and even fatalities.

With darkness falling earlier, more animals are active during the evening rush hour, which leads to a much greater risk of collision with vehicles.

Here are some important steps and precautions that drivers should take in these situations:

1. Drive Cautiously and Stay Alert: When the clocks shift on the 29th of October, watch out for increased wildlife activity, especially around dusk and dawn. Drive carefully, eliminate distractions such as texting, and fiddling with your radio, and look around the road's edges for potential animals.

2. Wildlife Warning Signs: Many areas with a notable presence of wildlife have signs placed along the road to alert drivers of possible wildlife crossings. Look around for these signs and slow down. Remember animals can also appear in arrears without signs.

3. Use Your High Beams: If you are driving outside the city in areas where you are allowed to turn on your high beams, use them, it will help you enhance your visibility. Make sure that you turn them off when approaching other drivers in your lane or oncoming traffic.

4. Brake, Don’t swerve: If an animal crosses your path, you might instinctively try to swerve to avoid it, this can be very dangerous when driving at a high speed as it can lead to loss of control and potentially result in a more severe accident. Instead firmly apply your brakes and stay in your lane.

5. Watch Out for More Than One Animal: Wildlife often moves in groups, so keep that in mind when you spot one animal because more could be close by. Reduce your speed and prepare for more animals to appear.

6. Be patient and Provide Space: When you encounter an animal on the road, especially, larger ones like a deer, give them time to cross the road. Avoid honking or trying to rush them. If you see an animal and you think that it saw you because it moved back to the bush or forest, they can still turn back and run in front of you because they are unpredictable.

7. Report Injured Animals: Contact the Police phone at the number 0900 - 8844 if you have seen or if you have hit an animal. They will provide you with instructions on what to do in these situations.

8. Maintain your Vehicle: Check your vehicle’s brakes, tires, and headlight, so that you have a much greater chance of seeing wildlife and stopping before it's too late.

9. Place a game whistle on your car: The speed causes the whistle to emit an ultrasound - the frequency ranges from 20-30 kHz which makes the wildlife get back to safety.

In a situation like the picture above you have to be critical and expect that the deer can suddenly run across the road, that's why you have to adjust your speed and be ready to stop if the deer starts to run.

Check out topexam. nl and learn more about driving regulations and guides to pass your theory exam to make the roads safer for yourselves and wildlife.