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. Call the police on 02800.
When you report to the police after a collision with an animal, they will notify the wildlife committee and other relevant stakeholders.
It may also be helpful to give the police the coordinates that you find on the map on your mobile phone. If you use the app "Hjelp 113" to call the police, they can see exactly where you are.
Remember to secure and mark the accident site
You should secure the scene of the accident by setting up a warning triangle and turning on your hazard warning lights. Put on a reflective vest.
If you are allowed to drive on, you should mark where the collision occurred so that it will be easy to find for personnel from the local authorities. For example, use a plastic bag or some other easily visible object that you have available in your car.
Should the animal be put down?
You should not euthanise the animal yourself, unless this has been approved by the police. This is to prevent unnecessary suffering. Competent personnel should assess and decide whether the animal should be euthanised. There is an exception for small wild animals and birds. These you may euthanise yourself, if it is obvious that the animal will not survive.
When it comes to big game, livestock or domestic animals, and it is obvious that the animal will not survive, you can euthanise it if you cannot get hold of the owner, a veterinarian or the police within a reasonable time.
Do not pursue an injured animal!
This may be dangerous and makes the job difficult for search dogs.
How to avoid hitting an animal
- Adjust your speed to the conditions. Make sure you maintain a speed that allows you to stop quickly.
- Regularly let your eyes sweep across the terrain on both sides of the road to make sure you catch any activity.
- Be extra cautious in areas where there are signs warning you of the presence of wildlife or farm animals.
Pease note:
- Deer, sheep and goats are herd animals. If you see one animal, slow down carefully and know that there may be more of them.
- Even if an animal seems calm, it may be startled and run in front of your car.
- In areas with a lot of reindeer, a recently salted road may sometimes attract reindeer.
More collisions at dusk and when there is much snow
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.
Our protective measures
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) takes a number of steps to prevent animal-vehicle collisions. Preventive measures are included in the planning of the road and in the operation and maintenance of the road network.
Examples include wildlife fences, wildlife crossings, wildlife gates, signage, traffic alerts, cattle grids in the roadway, and vegetation clearing to increase visibility. Traffic-related measures include 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. We exchange a lot of experience especially with Finland and Sweden in this particular area. We have also done a considerable amount of research and development on this, especially over the last 5 years.