World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day is on October 10. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help raise awareness of the problem of animals getting hurt on the road and sometimes abandoned without assistance or much care. It’s a day to urge people to consider what they would do if they hit an animal while driving. It is hoped that through education and action, fewer animals will suffer, and more animal owners will be spared the anguish that traffic accidents entail. Driving with extra care and attention will save many lives, but accidents will happen — even to the most animal-loving drivers.
History of World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day
No animal deserves to be dumped on the side of the road after a car accident. Every day, 630 cats are killed in car accidents. Only 25% of these incidents will be deadly, leaving 75% with a possibility of survival, but only if the animal receives assistance. Many people attempt to educate the public on what to do if they hit an animal on the road. Fortunately, the Cats Matter Organization has made raising awareness of the issue easier. Cats Matter is committed to this worthwhile cause and is the driving force behind Animal Road Accident Awareness Day. Annual road fatalities are expected to kill 100,000 foxes, 50,000 badgers, 50,000 deer, 30 million birds, and hedgehogs, which formerly headed the fatality list with 29% of them killed by automobiles and are now critically endangered.Authorities estimate the accurate death rate to be about 70 million animals based on a statistical study of those that may have gone undetected. Highways England claims that 2,143 dead animals were discovered on about 4,300 miles of roadway — less than 1% of the U.K.’s entire road network.The Road Traffic Act 1988 in the United Kingdom specifies that drivers must notify the police if they strike any of the following animals: dogs, horses, cattle/cows, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, or mules. Although there is currently no requirement to record all animal deaths on roadways, police suggest drivers contact the owner of domestic animals, such as cats, to alert them of the situation. Whatever the regulations, the most important thing is that the animal is provided with the best opportunity possible if it survives the initial impact.Today highlights the fact that many animals are disregarded for no other reason than a motorist did not value their life enough to give them a second consideration.
World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day timeline
Roadkill, almost non-existent before the introduction of mechanical transportation, is related to growing automotive speeds.
According to research, insects are also in significant danger of becoming roadkill; insect roadkill is related to vehicle density.
In the United States, statewide roadkill monitoring systems are put in place, with hundreds of observers reporting roadkill on a website.
Cats Matter launches World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day, which takes place on October 10th for the first time.
World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day FAQs
Which animal is responsible for the most traffic accidents?
Deer are responsible for around 260,000 collisions each year. More than 150 people are killed in these crashes.
What kinds of animals are discovered on the road?
Squirrels, birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, turtles, and coyotes are the most common animals observed on highways.
How can I avoid colliding with animals while driving?
Keep an eye on your surroundings. If you are traveling in the rural countryside, thickly forested regions, or near bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, or rivers, take additional precautions and use your horn to scare the animals.
How to Observe World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day
-
Use social media to persuade others
Share your experience online to encourage others to commit to driving safely. Use the hashtag #AnimalRoadAccidentAwareness to convince individuals to take a personal pledge to drive carefully.
-
Immediately see a veterinarian
If you accidentally strike or locate an injured domestic cat on the street, take it to the nearest veterinarian, and you will not be penalized. The animal will be given the necessary care and scanned for a microchip, which allows the owner to be contacted.
-
Drive safely!
Driving safely and improving your driving skills is an excellent way to commemorate the day. Learn about traffic safety precautions and other suggestions.
5 Facts About Animal Car Accidents
-
The majority occur in the fall
This is a mating and hunting season, and deer are most active at this time, thus they tend to wander outside their typical range.
-
Sunset and midnight are the peak hours
Keep in mind that animals also wander on the road before and after the sun rises, making all these high-risk times for animal-vehicle collisions.
-
Big animals rarely cross the road alone
If you encounter a deer while driving, expect to see numerous others nearby.
-
It’s become a big problem for Canada
Every hour, four to eight big animal-vehicle collisions occur in Canada.
-
One to two million collisions happen
Every year in the U.S., an estimated one million to two million collisions between motor vehicles and big animals such as deer occur, resulting in 200 human deaths, 26,000 injuries, and at least $8 billion in property damage and other expenditure.
Why World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day is Important
-
It raises awareness for a significant cause
One of the main reasons we observe Animal Road Accident Awareness is to emphasize the hazards of driving while distracted. With almost 1,000 animal deaths caused by traffic accidents each year, increased awareness urges individuals to take extra measures.
-
It emphasizes the importance of preventive interventions
This day educates individuals on how to handle a traffic accident if they strike an animal while driving. There are preventative methods to help reduce the danger of animals getting wounded, as well as guidance on what to do if an animal gets away, roadside first aid, and much more.
-
It saves lives
Not only are our lives important, but so are the lives of animals. It can assist to change the destiny of animals that have not yet landed in this situation.
World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 10 | Monday |
| 2023 | October 10 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | October 10 | Thursday |
| 2025 | October 10 | Friday |
| 2026 | October 10 | Saturday |
