Reporting Roadkill Increases Roadway Safety

We’ve all seen roadkill, but did you know you should report it? Letting the authorities know helps them strategize ways to prevent more of these types of accidents.

Chances are you have driven by a deer, raccoon or other animals that met its untimely death due to a collision with a vehicle. Maybe it was your car that hit the unsuspecting animal, or maybe you happened to stumble upon the carnage after the fact.

Whether you hit the animal or not, encountering roadkill elicits sad emotions in many drivers. It is gruesome to look at, plus, if it was you who hit it, you may have major damage to your car, an injury or worse.

Over 1 million animals are killed every year by vehicles — animal deaths on roads occur more frequently than animal deaths due to hunting. For humans, approximately 29,000 injuries and 200 deaths occur each year from animal-vehicle collisions.

With constant efforts being made to make the roadways safer — both for drivers and animals —reporting a collision with an animal is more important than ever.

Why Report Roadkill?

When you report roadkill, you are allowing local ecologists a more in-depth view of wildlife in the area.

When experts have insight into wildlife movements, they can work with the local transportation department and take the necessary measures to prevent further collisions in the future, whether simply by putting up warning signs for drivers or by building wildlife crossings.

App for Utah State Employees 

Utah state employees have the benefit of a smartphone app they can use to report roadkill. The data benefits both the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Utah Department of Transportation.

The app is used only by state employees to help limit repeat and multiple reports of the same incident. Utah drivers who want to report roadkill can do so by submitting a report online through Utah’s government website or by notifying the police.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources tracks hot spots where multiple vehicles and animal collisions have taken place, and working in conjunction with the Utah Department of Transportation, is able to target resources more effectively to limit future incidents by adding overpasses, underpasses or reinforcing the fencing surrounding the highway.

Protect Wildlife, Protect Yourself

In 1975, Utah was the first state to build a wildlife overpass. Today, we have over 40 wildlife crossings in the state.

To help avoid a collision with wildlife, drive within the posted speed limit, pay extra attention in wildlife crossing zones and reduce your speed when visibility is limited. Keep Utah and the surrounding area safe for all animals, and you will protect yourself as well.

If you hit a large animal with your vehicle, call Stauffer’s Towing first to get help, then report the roadkill to the proper authorities.