{"id":24674,"date":"2023-12-29T12:39:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T12:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=24674"},"modified":"2023-12-29T12:39:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T12:39:01","slug":"stay-alert-to-avoid-a-roo-interruption-to-your-summer-break-in-the-bush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2023\/12\/29\/stay-alert-to-avoid-a-roo-interruption-to-your-summer-break-in-the-bush\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay alert to avoid a ‘roo interruption to your summer break in the bush"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Motorists heading for a summer break in regional NSW are being reminded to be on high alert for wildlife and livestock straying onto country roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said regional NSW was a great destination over the Christmas and New Year holidays but warned city motorists they could encounter unfamiliar hazards while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWildlife and livestock might be an uncommon occurrence on busy city roads but can be familiar sight on roads, particularly at dawn and dusk when many animals are at their most active,\u201d Ms Aitchison said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s simply a matter of being aware there could be animals around and remaining vigilant when driving on rural and regional roads, and knowing what to do if you come across a kangaroo, echidna or even an emu in your path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first thing is to brake if it\u2019s safe to do so and, most importantly, resist the urge to swerve to miss the animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s safer to strike an animal than to swerve and risk losing control of the vehicle – twice as many people are killed and injured in crashes resulting from swerving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2017 and 2021 there were 557 reported collisions with animals on western region roads that resulted in 165 serious injuries and, sadly, six deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kangaroos and wallabies pose the most common risk to drivers, but wild horses and livestock can also be regularly found on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegional drivers are reporting an increase in the number of animals on western roads and also animals strikes, possibly attributed to drier weather conditions this year forcing animals to move about more seeking food and water,\u201d Ms Aitchison said.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen animals do stray onto the road they will often move very quickly and their behaviour can be quite unpredictable, so it is important to give them plenty of room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd when you\u2019re driving on country roads, always take note of warning signs alerting you to the presence of animals in the area. If you see these signs, slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop if required.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safe driving on country roads:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n