MOOSE-VEHICLE RELATIONS IN SWEDEN: A REVIEW

Abstract

With increasing moose numbers in Sweden during the last 20-year period, moose vehicle collisions (MVC) along Swedish highways have become a serious problem. Moose as well as accident numbers peaked around 1980 when about 6000 MVC occurred. About 5-20 People are killed and 500 hurt in MVC each year. MVC are considered to be a serious road safety problem and are one of the factors determining acceptable moose densities. The number of moose killed on the roads is less than 5% of the number killed by hunters. Numerous research projects have been initiated in Sweden during the last 15 years to answer questions related to MVC. The MVC risk from the viewpoint of the individual driver is highest at dawn and dusk, and higher at night than during daylight hours. In southern Sweden, MVC numbers peak in early summer (calving), and autumn (rutting). In northern Sweden, MVC numbers normally peak in December - January after snow accumulation has initiated moose migrations to lowland ranges where major roads are common. Fencing the roads has decreased the number of accidents by 80%. Road-side clearing decreased the accidents by about 20%. Investigations have been undertaken of what happens when a car collides with a moose, and how and why people in the cars get injured. Other studies have analysed what happens to the car in a collision and which qualities of the car give good or poor protection to the passengers. Some studies have examined the behavior of drivers in relation to moose accidents.