Accidents involving animals on the decline

Highway accidents involving animals are on the decline according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

There have been some 300 fewer accidents so far this year compared to 2011, which saw a total of more than 1,500 animal/vehicle collisions across northeastern Ontario.

OPP Staff Sergeant Laura Houliston credits the improvement to better driving habits and fencing that was installed along Highway 69 near Sudbury.

"I do think that people are getting the message about animal collisions and that's why the numbers may be down slightly from last year," said Houliston.

One Sudbury resident, who was involved in an accident of his own, wants more fencing put up.

Al Akermans truck ran into a moose in August 2009 and as he and his wife were driving on the highway to Killarney.

"The passenger side of the truck picked up the moose and crumpled the hood and sent it flying over the truck. I was very lucky that my wife -- who was sitting dead in front of the moose -- wasn't injured," he said.

He says the road there would benefit from the same sort of fencing

Houliston says people should learn to drive defensively to prevent an accident like Akerman's.

"The key to preventing animal collisions is watching your speed and driving attentively. Obviously hitting wildlife is like hitting another vehicle, especially when we're talking about moose and bear," she said.