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Fall is harvest time, which means right now a lot of agricultural vehicles are on the roads. Driving out from fields, these vehicles bring clay and mud onto roads.
According to officials of the German automobile club ADAC, there is an increased risk of accidents, especially for motorcycle drivers. The clay and mud in combination with rain can make roads slippery, almost like black ice.
Also, harvest products falling off the vehicles can cause some danger. Motorists should reduce speed and drive extremely carefully along fields and next to agricultural areas. A greater following distance from the car ahead and soft braking also increases safety.
Often, motorists don’t see what danger can be caused by agricultural vehicles, such as harvester combines, since they are wider and need more than half the street.
When passing, drivers must be very cautious. Motorists have to slow down until the agricultural vehicle leaves the main road.
Fall is also the time with an increase in deer crossing in the early morning and at night, say ADAC officials.
Every year, about 220,000 deer, 12,000 wild boars and more than 200,000 rabbits are run over and killed. More than 3,300 motorists and passengers are hurt and about 30 people die in these accidents.
These wild animals, including foxes, don’t find enough protection on the harvested fields anymore and flee into the forests to find cover. They often have to cross streets and put themselves as well as motorists in danger. In fall, game can be found along avenues with trees, where they eat chestnuts, acorn and fruit that have fallen from trees in preparation for hibernation.
In the coming weeks, motorists must drive extremely carefully along fields and forests, especially at dusk and dawn. The rule is wherever there is a forest, there is a deer. And wherever there is one animal, there are more to follow. It’s important to reduce the speed and to be ready to brake at all times. On streets with deer crossing traffic signs, drivers should drive cautiously and pay close attention to their surroundings.
If a collision with game happens, the warning lights must be turned on and the vehicle must be secured. Injured persons must be taken care of and the police must be called. The animal should not be touched.
Foxes can be infected with rabies and deer, though they may appear unconscious, can kick out. It’s considered poaching if someone takes a deer and puts it in their trunk. This results in the confiscation of the vehicle and a fine, and possibly jail time.
Car owners need a written confirmation by the police or the game lessee so the comprehensive insurance will pay for the damage. The game lessee is based on animal protection laws obliged to find an animal that has been hit and hurt, and put it out of its misery.
(Courtesy of German automobile club ADAC)
