TCS guide: Wild animal accidents: Does the emergency brake assist also react to wild animals?

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Does my car’s emergency brake assist also react to wild animals?
M. Brown, Boniswil

No. TCS, together with ADAC, tested how its emergency braking and night vision assists react when running over wild boars. Our tests have shown that the systems can detect wild animals, but most manufacturers’ software is not (yet) optimized for this. This means assistance systems cannot prevent accidents. In addition, they reduce the consequences of a possible accident by warning the driver and providing support when braking.

For example, in 2019, more than 20,000 animals died on the roads in traffic accidents in Switzerland. Deer (8,700) and foxes (7,100) are the most common victims, followed by badgers (3,300) and wild boars (740).

Against the wild boar at 80 km per hour

A crash test with a large boar dummy at 80 km/h reveals the enormous energy of the collision. For a short period of time, passengers are subjected to a force ten times their own body weight. The test vehicle suffered major damage, but its occupants escaped unhurt.

If a wild animal suddenly appears in front of you, the correct response is to hit the brakes and stay in your lane. If any escape attempt is unsuccessful, a head-on collision with oncoming traffic or crashing into a tree can lead to much worse consequences.

Source: Blick