News & Media

Updates from Montana

November 8, 2016

Data collected by State Farm indicates that Montana ranks second in the country for risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions with large ungulates (deer, moose or elk) occurring on the State’s roads. An increase in the observed risk indicates that taking action to reduce the frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions could help ensure the safety of both Montana’s drivers and its wildlife.

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(Image: State Farm 2016 Deer Collision Data)

Related Press

Sept 20. Missoulian // Montana No. 2 in nation for wildlife vs. car collisions

Oct 2. Missoulian // Reducing wildlife-vehicle accidents needs to become a priority in Montana

 

Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage has advocated for the analysis of collision data to identify the highest risk locations as a starting point for determining mitigation priorities. Along stretches of highway where collisions are especially frequent, the monetary cost associated with ongoing collisions can exceed the cost to implement mitigation in the form of over- and underpasses or wildlife detection systems.

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(Image: Center for Large Landscape Conservation)

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation in Bozeman, Montana has released a report entitled High-Risk Zones for Ungulate-Vehicle Collisions during Montana’s Fall Migration Season, which analyzes stretches of Montana’s highways and identifies segments that experience the highest volume of wildlife-vehicle collisions. The report has been profiled in a series of articles and interviews and successfully raised the profile of wildlife-vehicle collisions as a priority for urgent action.

 

Related Publications

Center for Large Landscape Conservation. (2016). High-Risk Zones for Ungulate-Vehicle Collisions during Montana’s Fall Migration Season

Related Press

Sept 28. Independent Record // Support Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage

Oct 31. Flathead Beacon // Northwest Montana has most dangerous stretch of highway for wildlife collisions

Nov 1 Bozeman Daily Chronicle // Highway South of Four Corners Listed as 2nd Riskiest for Wildlife Crashes

Nov 2. NBC Montana //  Study Shows High Risk Highways for Wildlife Collisions

Nov 2. KURL Channel 8 // High Risk Zones for Wildlife Collisions

Nov 3. Daily Inter Lake // Somers-Lakeside corridor tops list for wildlife crashes

Nov 3. Helena Independent Record // Report Shows Risky Areas for Wildlife Crashes in Montana

Nov 3. NewsTalk KGVO // Study Lists Top 10 Montana Roadways for Animal Collisions

Nov 3. Washington Times // Report Lists Risky Areas for Wildlife Crashes in Montana

Nov 12. Missoulian // Montana teaches the world how to get critters across the road