High season for wildlife collisions - what should you do in the event of an accident?

As it gets darker outside, wild animals such as moose and deer will move around more. It is especially during the twilight hours and at night that wildlife will be on the move, and in the autumn darkness, it can be particularly challenging to detect the animal in time. Many of us are unsure what to do if they have been unfortunate enough to hit an animal, and may become frightened and drive away. You are however obliged to report an animal collision, whether it is a domestic or wild animal. Leaving injured animals behind is a criminal offence.

• Stop and observe the animal. If the animal is dead, try to get it off the road, or secure the accident site by setting up a warning triangle.
• If the animal is injured, assess the damage and try to see where the animal is heading. A wounded animal will often stop and lie down again fairly quickly. Never follow a wounded animal yourself, as it can be dangerous and complicate the work of search and rescue dogs.
• Contact the police at 02800 to report the incident. They will contact the local wildlife board responsible for the search and euthanasia of injured animals and provide you with further instructions.
• If you are allowed to leave the scene, mark where the collision occurred. Make the position clearly visible by using a colored plastic bag or something else visible that you have available in the car. This will make it easier for personnel in the wildlife board to find the accident site. Feel free to provide coordinates to the police with a map on your mobile phone.
• If there is no mobile coverage in the area, mark the location and report it as soon as you have mobile coverage.
• In some situations, there may be a question of whether to euthanize the animal or not. To prevent unnecessary suffering, it is important that competent personnel can conduct a search and assess whether the animal should be euthanized. It is only with approval from the police that one can be allowed to euthanize the animal oneself. Birds and smaller animals can be euthanized by oneself if it is obvious that the animal cannot survive or recover. Animals from livestock and big game should not be euthanized according to this provision if it is possible to contact the owner, veterinarian, or police within a reasonable time.

With our warning device Safedrive Pro, you will receive and have the opportunity to alert others about animals and obstacles on the road. By providing a warning, other users in the vicinity will receive a notification in advance and have the opportunity to adjust their speed based on the information they receive on their device.

If you are unsure about how to report animals and obstacles on the road, watch this video for more information.