Collisions with wild animals: an underestimated risk

Since April 2020, the Luxembourg authorities have no longer published official statistics on collisions involving wild animals. Based on our estimates, drawn from earlier figures released by the authorities, around 1,200 cases occur each year on the roads of the Grand Duchy. Relative to the size of the country, this volume places the Grand Duchy among the European territories where the risk deserves particular attention. France and Belgium have also stopped publishing these figures; the estimates in circulation, around 40,000 collisions a year in France and 5,500 in Belgium, rest on older records. Germany, with around 265,000 collisions a year, remains today the only European country with official, detailed and publicly available statistics. Elsewhere, under-reporting remains the rule, particularly when the vehicle is not seriously damaged.

Roe deer most common, wild boar most dangerous

In Luxembourg, the authorities themselves acknowledge that they cannot establish a precise breakdown of the species involved in collisions. Based on earlier years, however, it can be estimated that roe deer, wild boar and, more rarely, red deer are among the ungulates most often involved; foxes, badgers and hares also appear as the animals most frequently struck by motorists. In neighbouring countries, the available data identify the roe deer as the species most frequently hit: in Germany, the hunters’ association (DJV) attributes around 85 per cent of collisions with large game to it, compared with close to 12 per cent for wild boar and 3 per cent for red and fallow deer. In France, according to data from the French Office for Biodiversity, wild boar, red deer and roe deer together account for almost all collisions with large game. While the wild boar is encountered less often, its size, between 80 and 130 kg on average for an adult male in Western Europe and sometimes more, makes it the animal that causes the most material damage and injury. In Germany, where the data are consolidated by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), these accidents cause between 2,500 and 3,000 injuries and around 10 to 13 deaths each year. In France, according to figures provided by the national Gendarmerie to the Senate for the period 2019 to 2021, between 150 and 190 people are injured and between 7 and 11 killed each year.

When is the risk highest?

Three factors account for most accidents. Low visibility comes first: 80 per cent of collisions occur between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., during periods of animal activity. The migration seasons, in autumn and spring, then mark clear peaks. Finally, hunting, which is practised all year round, drives animals to cross roads in haste.

The most common causes remain well known: excessive speed, lack of vigilance despite road signs, and driver distraction. At 100 km/h, the stopping distance reaches nearly 80 metres; above 80 km/h, a collision becomes difficult to avoid when an animal appears at 60 metres.

The right reflexes at the wheel

When an animal is on the road, brake firmly, sound the horn and switch to dipped headlights so as not to dazzle the animal, which may freeze. If a collision is unavoidable, it is better to keep the steering wheel straight and continue braking rather than attempt an avoidance manoeuvre, which is often the cause of more serious accidents against a tree or an oncoming vehicle.

After the impact: safety first

Four reflexes are essential: get to safety (hazard lights, high-visibility jacket, warning triangle), call the emergency services on 112 and the police on 113, never touch or move the animal (Luxembourg law prohibits this, and taking it away exposes the driver to prosecution for poaching), then document the damage with photographs. The ACL remains reachable on 26 000 for assistance. For injured animals, the Fleegestatioun fir wëll Déieren is the specialist organisation in the Grand Duchy.