Care needed on roads as spring increases chances of animal encounters

Care needed on roads as spring increases chances of animal encounters

Each year, 20-30 people are injured in accidents involving the likes of moose. This figure has remained largely unchanged over the years, even though the total number of recorded wildlife accidents has fallen. This is partly due to the fact that there are more and more vehicles on Estonia’s roads: according to the 2024 traffic census, the average frequency of traffic on national roads increased by 1.5% over the year from 1072 to 1088 vehicles per day.

“No one wants to get into an accident or harm wild animals, so it’s important as road users that we’re extra careful and keep an eye out for animals approaching roads,” said Villu Lükk, the head of the Environmental Management Department at the Transport Administration. “Animals often have specific tracks or routes they follow, many of which cross roads, so drivers need to be vigilant – particularly before sunrise and after sunset, when animals are more active. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for them between coppices and near fields as well.”

Warnings are issued on roads with a greater risk of accidents involving wild animals by the use of ‘moose signs’, which should be taken into account when driving. These signs are installed in places where accidents have previously taken place or where wild animals have been seen to more frequently cross the road. In addition, road markings are used as warnings on sections of road with greater animal activity.

Wildlife crossing points have also been created on fenced sections of road in a number of places around Estonia, where warning signs are installed. On the four-lane section of the Kose-Võõbu road, a large-game detection system warns drivers of wild animals, which are able to cross the road at three dedicated points on the same level as the road, with special sensors registering their approach. These transmit information to variable message signs, which start flashing and reduce the speed limit to 70 km/h.