Commentary:
Wildlife on the roads

Last year, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) constructed a wildlife detection system on U.S. Hwy 160 between Durango and Bayfield. The system has already reduced the crash rate along this stretch of road where nearly 70% of all accidents are wildlife-related.

The project was a Western Region winner at this year’s America’s Transportation Awards—an annual program honoring transportation projects which improved the quality of life in their communities and were delivered on time and on budget. The awards are sponsored by AAA, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

CDOT’s new system is the first of its kind. It consists of an underground cable 30 feet from each side of the road. When a large animal crosses the buried cable, it triggers electronic signs along the highway to warn motorists that wildlife is approaching the roadside ahead. The concept was inspired by security systems used by some prisons and military bases.

The Durango-Bayfield stretch of U.S. Hwy 160 is one of several roads in Colorado where wildlife fall migration routes intersect with highways, causing numerous crashes every year. Motorists should be on the alert anywhere in Colorado for deer, elk and other wildlife crossing the road.

Be particularly alert at dawn and dusk, when animals are more active. Scan the roadside as well as the road ahead—deer, bighorn sheep and other animals can leap out very suddenly. At night, watch for shining eyes.

Drive cautiously in areas where trees or brush are close to the side of the road. You may not realize a wild animal is about to step out until it’s too late.

If there’s an animal standing in the road ahead, brake—never swerve. Be prepared to hit the animal if you can’t stop in time. This can be extremely serious, but it is still safer to collide with the animal than to swerve into oncoming traffic.

There are no legal consequences for hitting a wild animal, unless the motorist was speeding. Even if no damage occurs, please assist the State Patrol by calling *CSP to report such incidents. This will help maintain accurate records of where and when wildlife collisions occur.

Ten roadways where drivers should be extra cautious:

  • I-70 & Hwy 285 west of Denver
  • I-70 west of Vail
  • I-70 at Glenwood Springs
  • Hwy 36 north of Boulder
  • I-25 at Colorado Springs
  • Hwy 160 east of Alamosa
  • Hwy 160 west of Del Norte
  • Hwys 550 and 160 at Durango

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