News Release for May 7, 2008
For More Information:
Mark Latti, MaineDOT Office of Communications, 624-3030

Drivers need to be wary of Moose

Two recent moose-vehicle crashes serve as a reminder that moose are on the move in May and June, and statistics show that there are more moose vehicle crashes in June than any other month of the year.

Over the last two weeks, two separate law enforcement vehicles struck moose on Maine roads. Neither officer was injured, but the incidents underscore the fact that all Maine drivers need to be aware of moose on the roadways this time of year.

“Due to their large size, every moose/vehicle accident has the potential for serious injury,” said Brad Foley, Director of MaineDOT Safety Office. “Drivers need to be alert when driving at night, especially in wooded or marshy areas. You need to slow down, scan the roadsides for moose, and always wear your seatbelt.”

In late spring, moose frequent roadways for several reasons. After a long winter of eating poor-quality food, their bodies crave the salt that is found along roadsides. The sides of roads are also the first areas to green up in the spring, offering tender plant shoots as another source of food for moose. And yearling moose, recently forced away by their mothers as the mothers prepare to give birth to this year’s calves, often travel and find themselves around roads.

Nighttime is also peak time for moose-vehicle collisions. The number of moose crashes peaks between 7:00 p.m. and midnight. Moose move more during the evening after it cools from the daytime high temperatures.

During a 3-year period, approximately 2,000 moose collisions occur in Maine and fatalities occur almost every year.

• Nearly 90% of crashes occur between dusk and dawn.
• Nearly 80% of the crashes occur during hours of darkness.
• The state averages nearly three fatalities a year due to moose/car collisions.
• 24 of the 28 fatalities over the past 10 years occurred when it was dark.

As a driver, there are several steps you can take to minimize the chance of being involved in a moose-vehicle collision.

• Drivers should reduce their speed when it is dark.
• Use your high beams where it is appropriate.
• Always have everyone buckle up.
• Search the roadway ahead to identify potential problems.

With their dark brown color, moose are difficult to see at night, and because of their height, their eyes do not readily reflect oncoming headlights. They also tend to move in groups. If you see one, slow down, because there may be another, and be on the lookout for tall silhouettes along roadsides.

Remember, moose are everywhere in the state, and they can turn up anywhere. Moose vehicle collisions occur on the Maine Turnpike as well as the Interstate and Route 1 in northern Maine.

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