Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Transportation and Works
May 18, 2016

Increasing Safety for Residents

Motorists Advised To Be Cautious of Moose on Roadways

The Provincial Government is cautioning motorists to be vigilant and to watch out for moose when driving on the province's roadways. Most of the provincial highway system runs through moose habitat. While accidents are reported year round, more than 70 per cent occur between May and October.

"It is important for motorists to remember that big game, including moose, are active on or near the province's roadways year-round and many people will be traveling during the Victoria Day long weekend. We want to remind people to be vigilant, especially at dusk and at night, to slow down and be safe."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

Moose are giving birth this time of the year and last year's calves, newly independent of their mothers, are prone to wandering about including on or near roadways. While high-risk areas are marked with warning signs, motorists can expect to encounter moose while travelling on any section of the Trans-Canada Highway or on any secondary roads.

In the province's eastern region, conservation officers responded to 49 motor vehicle collisions involving moose between January 1 and mid-May this year, with 80 per cent occurring in the evening or at night. In 2015, there were 343 collisions with 71 per cent occurring in the evening or at night.

The western region handled 71 complaints involving moose from January 1 to mid-May, 2016. While only 34 were reported as motor vehicle collisions, many of the remaining incidents may have resulted from vehicle collisions that left animals injured or dead at roadside. The region handled 209 complaints involving moose in 2015.

"Reducing the instances of moose vehicle collisions throughout our province is of significant importance to our government and to the motoring public. In addition to moose population management initiatives and signage on highways and roads throughout the province, we work in collaboration with the Save Our People Action Committee to deliver important public education programs. Our partnership provides for the distribution of information to travelers and serves as a continual reminder of the need to reduce speeds on our highways and roads and to be aware of the risks of distracted driving."
- The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works

The Provincial Government's public education partnership with the Save Our People Action Committee includes the distribution of informational resources to tourist information chalets and other public venues across the province. These tools provide advice to drivers and a toll-free number to report moose sightings and collisions.

Information on moose-vehicle awareness can be found at: www.roads.gov.nl.ca/department/moose.html and www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/moose_vehicle_awareness.html

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development Forestry and Agrifoods Agency 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2016 05 18                              4:00 p.m.