Time changes increase the risk of wildlife collisions

Wild animals do not pay attention to traffic or people’s time changes. In view of the change to summer time this Sunday, the Swiss animal protection agency warns against collisions with deer, badgers and other wild animals.

The risk of collisions is greater because from Monday morning more people will drive their cars in the dark again, the Swiss Animal Protection Society (STS) wrote in a statement on Wednesday. Drivers must reduce their speed accordingly and drive “even more carefully”.

In addition to the heavier traffic at dusk, the current mating season is also a challenge. For example, because badgers and polecats concentrate on reproduction, they would pay even less attention to traffic. Motorists should therefore pay particular attention to the right side of the road.

If, despite all caution, a collision with a wild animal occurs, the police must be informed. Do not get too close to an injured animal under any circumstances, the STS writes, as this can frighten the animals and worsen their injuries if they try to escape or defend themselves. Dead animals must be dragged to the side of the road by their hind legs. (rbu/sda)