Motorists are being warned to take it easy on district roads this winter, with an increasing number of wildlife collisions occurring.
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So much so, that Goulburn is second highest only to Canberra for the nation’s highest number of wildlife collisions, with Sunbury in Victoria, and Cooma and Dubbo in NSW rounding out the top five.
The impacts have been keeping local panel beaters in a steady stream of work.
Bob Christie from Goulburn Smash repairs said it was one of the worst times for animal collisions that he could recall.
“It is not driver error because they blend into the surroundings, with dusk and dawn being the worst times,” he said.
“There is more work - probably 50 per cent of the work I have on is as a result of animal collisions.”
“I get sad when people have just fixed their car and are back the next month for the same thing.”
Mr Christie said drivers on country roads should cut back their speeds.
“Cutting back your speed back allows thinking time, so you can not panic and veer rather than swerve,” he said.
“More lighting helps, as does having a bigger car with a bull bar.
”I will always have enough to do, so their sake I’d like to not see them have the misfortune of hitting an animal.”
Meanwhile, Michael Leeson from W&G Smash Repairs in Goulburn said seven out of 12 cars in his workshop at the moment were there as a result of kangaroo collisions.
And its not just happening on back country roads, but also on the highways.
“A lot depends on the weather. The dry conditions at the moment are causing many kangaroos to venture to the side of the roads to find food and as a result there seems to be an increase in collisions,” he said.
“There also seem to be a lot more roos than usual around. There are a lot more of them in town as well. It is the first time I have seen roos coming in from the bush on Progress St, for instance.”
WIRES spokesperson Kristie Harris said animals are struck by vehicles more often in winter than at any other time of year, so there is an increased need for caution from motorists.
“Slow down at dusk and dawn, as this is when a lot of our large mammals are active,” she said.
“If you see a marsupial has been hit it is important to check its pouch. Joeys often survive the impact of collisions and can survive for several days in the pouch in the right conditions. Joeys can be expelled from pouches on impact with vehicles, so it’s important to check the surrounds too, not just the pouch.
“If safe to do so, always move the animal’s body off the road to prevent further incidents.”
She said animals feed on the side of the road where food is often plentiful.
“People can carry common items in their cars in the event of a wildlife rescue emergency, such as a torch, pillow cases, towels and cardboard boxes,” she said.