Duties in the event of hitting an animal
A vehicle-animal collision is not a punishable offence, but it is an offence not to report it.
Accidents should be reported to the police on 02800, who will notify the wildlife committee and other stakeholders.
If you are allowed to leave the place, you should mark where the collision occurred or where the animal can be found, for example using a plastic bag or other clearly visible object that you have in your car, so that it is easy to find for personnel from the local authorities.
It may also be helpful to give the police the coordinates that you find on the map on your mobile phone.
Should the animal be put down?
To prevent unnecessary suffering, it is important to have competent personnel assess and decide whether the animal should be euthanised. It is only if the police give their approval that you may be allowed to euthanise the animal yourself. Birds and small animals may be euthanised by yourself if it is obvious that the animal cannot live or recover.
Under this legal provision, livestock and big game must not be euthanised if it is possible to get hold of the owner, a veterinarian, or the police within a reasonable time.
Remember that
- you should never pursue an injured animal yourself. This may be dangerous and it can also make the job difficult for the search dog.
- you should secure the accident site by setting up a warning triangle and turning on your vehicle’s hazard warning lights.
- you should put on a reflective vest.
How to avoid hitting an animal
As always when you drive, you should adjust your speed to the conditions. When driving in areas where there are signs warning you of the presence of wildlife or farm animals, you should be extra cautious.
Make sure you maintain a speed that allows you to stop quickly. Regularly let your eyes sweep across the side terrain on both sides of the road to make sure you catch any activity.
Most wildlife collisions occur at dusk or dawn as animals often move between day and night areas. Most vehicle-elk collisions occur in the period from autumn to spring. In winters with large amounts of snow, especially if a lot of snow has fallen recently, the risk of collisions with deer and elk (known to Americans as moose) will increase drastically.
More advice to avoid hitting animals
- Deer, sheep and goats are herd animals. If you see one animal, slow down carefully and know that there may be more of them.
- An animal that appears calm may suddenly start running in front of the car or become frightened.
- In areas with a lot of reindeer, you should know that if the road has been salted recently, this may sometimes attract reindeer.
Our protective measures
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) takes a number of steps to prevent collisions with wildlife, sheep, and other animals. Such measures are incorporated even in the planning of the road and in the operation and maintenance of the road network.
Well-known measures include wildlife fences, wildlife crossings, wildlife gates, signage, traffic alerts, cattle grids in the roadway, vegetation clearing, and traffic-related measures such as lower speed in exposed areas and at certain times, and diversions routes, for example as a consequence of wild reindeer trails. We also include these issues in information campaigns and driver training.
The NPRA takes active part in international cooperation and experience exchange, especially with Finland and Sweden in this particular area. We have also done a considerable amount of R&D in this area, especially over the last 5 years.