Attention, twilight! Accidents involving wildlife in the Mettmann district are increasing!

Attention, twilight! Accidents involving wildlife in the Mettmann district are increasing!

The recent switch to winter time not only brings with it shorter days, but also increased risks in road traffic. The Mettmann district police reported that 88 wildlife accidents have been registered in the region since the beginning of the year. Last year, 252 deer died on the roads in the catchment area of ​​the Düsseldorf and Mettmann district hunters, which paints an alarming picture. Autumn, which brings significantly cooler temperatures and early darkness, is particularly accident-prone, as twilight times collide with rush hour traffic and the number of accidents involving wildlife is particularly high between October and December. As RP Online also emphasizes, wild animals such as deer, foxes and badgers are particularly active at dusk.

“Twilight hours are toxic for drivers,” explained Christian Freund, chairman of the district hunters’ association. He appeals to all road users to drive with foresight in order to minimize the risk of accidents involving wildlife. Particular caution is advisable when traveling along country roads that pass through wooded areas or fields. Traffic signs indicating animal crossings can provide good orientation. Commuters should pay particular attention to the morning hours between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., when the danger is highest.

Practical advice on how to avoid accidents

What should you do if you do encounter a wild animal? Drivers should brake in a controlled manner, dim their headlights and honk in such situations to deter the animal. The ADAC also points out that high beam can blind wild animals and make them disoriented. Keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front and be ready to brake, especially when passing individual animals, as stragglers could often follow. In the event of an unavoidable collision, it is important to hold the steering wheel and brake calmly instead of swerving uncontrollably.

In the event of an accident involving wildlife, the police should always be called, even if no one was injured. She will inform the responsible hunting officer who will take care of the injured animal. If the animal escapes, it is helpful if witnesses to the accident can indicate the direction in which the animal fled. It is also important to secure the scene of the accident by turning on the hazard lights and setting up a warning triangle.

Wildlife accidents and their consequences

According to one estimate, collisions with wild animals cause damage nationwide of over one billion euros annually. In 2024, German insurers have allocated around 1.1 billion euros for 276,000 wildlife accidents, which underlines the high financial burden. The average amount of damage per collision was 4,100 euros, which represents an increase of 250 euros compared to the previous year. At this point it also makes sense to find out about your own insurance so that you are well covered in the event of an accident involving wildlife.

The current figures make it clear that increased attention will be required in the coming period. The risk of accidents involving wildlife can be significantly reduced by driving carefully. Drivers should prepare well for the winter nights and always keep an eye on the road to avoid unpleasant collisions.

Overall, it's better to be safe than sorry - and you should be particularly careful at dusk. In this way you can not only protect yourself, but also our local wildlife.

For more detailed information on the dangerous situation and practical tips for avoiding accidents, look at the pages of Oeko-Test or RP Online.