Animal-vehicle collisions in Texas: How to protect travelers and animals on roadways

Publication date: October 2019Source: Accident Analysis & Prevention, Volume 131Author(s): Devin C. Wilkins, Kara M. Kockelman, Nan JiangAbstractAnimal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) are a growing problem in the United States, resulting in countless loss of animal life and considerable human injury and death every year, especially to motorcyclists. Due to underreporting, collision data generally provide a very low (highly biased) estimate of actual AVC counts and often lack key details, such as the species of animals involved. However, AVC reports cover entire states and nations, and can illuminate differences in wild versus domestic animal-vehicle collisions through statistical and spatial analysis.51,522 animal-related crashes were reported to Texas police from 2010 through 2016, at a total cost over $1.3 billion annually to Texas motorists – not including the value of lost animal lives. AVC reports jump twice a day: between 5 and 8 AM and between 5 and 10 PM. Motorists are also significantly more likely to collide with a wild animal during the months of October, November, and December. Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) are 64% of total reports, events involving domestic animals (like dogs and cattle) are 31%, and the remaining 5% of reports are unspecified. Most AVCs in the state occur at night in unlit locations, usually on rural roads with very low traffic volumes.Using ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression analysis across Texas’ n = 254 counties, this work finds ...
Source: Accident Analysis and Prevention - Category: Accident Prevention Source Type: research