RAA Insurance warns of spike in kangaroo collisions
RAA Insurance warns of spike in kangaroo collisions | Insurance Business Australia
Motor & Fleet
RAA Insurance warns of spike in kangaroo collisions
Critical advice offered for drivers
Motor & Fleet
By
Roxanne Libatique
RAA Insurance and Fauna Rescue SA have issued a joint reminder to drivers about the heightened risk of kangaroo collisions in spring, noting that South Australia’s dry winter has contributed to a rise in such incidents.
RAA Insurance data showed that kangaroo collision claims in 2024 have increased by 32% compared to the same period in 2021.
Additionally, Fauna Rescue SA recorded nearly three times as many kangaroo-related call-outs between April and July this year, compared to the same timeframe in 2023, as animals move closer to populated areas in search of food.
In 2023, the insurer processed more than 2,000 claims involving animals, and the extent of the vehicle damage varies widely depending on the size of the animal and the speed involved.
Jess Lyons, head of claims at RAA Insurance, advised drivers to be extra cautious about increased animal movement, particularly in rural areas.
“As the weather begins to warm up this spring, we’re reminding drivers that there is likely to be increased animal activity on our roads – especially in our regions,” she said, adding that sounding the horn may help deter animals from crossing the road.
Steps to follow if you hit an animal
Sue Gredley from Fauna Rescue SA urged motorists to understand the steps to take if they hit an animal while driving.
“If you do have a crash, please check if the animal is alive before calling us at Fauna Rescue SA on 08 8289 0896 or another local wildlife rescue group,” she said.
Kangaroos account for 87% of animal-related road crashes in South Australia. Other species include dogs and cats, which make up 7% of these incidents, while emus and wombats each represent about 2%.
RAA Insurance and Fauna Rescue SA outlined steps to follow if you hit an animal – tips that insurance companies or brokers could share to their clients:
Ensure vehicle occupants are safe and move the car to a secure location.
If safe, check if the animal is alive but avoid approaching injured kangaroos, which can be dangerous.
If there is a joey, contact a wildlife rescue organisation like Fauna Rescue SA at 08 8289 0896.
Do not attempt to remove a joey from its mother’s pouch.
Road safety trends in South Australia
In the broader context of road safety, South Australia recorded 44 fatalities and 434 serious injuries in the first half of 2024, according to the Royal Automobile Association (RAA). This marks the second-highest mid-year total of serious injuries in over a decade, surpassed only by 2023.
For South Australia to meet the targets set out in the state’s Road Safety Strategy – aiming for a 50% reduction in road fatalities and a 30% drop in serious injuries by 2031 – the number of fatalities needs to stay below 80, and serious injuries below 637, by the end of 2024.
RAA’s senior manager for safety and infrastructure, Charles Mountain, pointed out that while road fatalities have decreased slightly, serious injuries remain high.
“Four hundred thirty-four serious injuries to start 2024 is alarming, and shows more needs to be done to get on top of this trend,” he said.
He added that older drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents, echoing trends seen in previous years.
RAA is calling for better road safety data, suggesting that more timely and transparent reporting would improve the state’s ability to reduce road trauma.
Nationally, most states are seeing increases in road trauma, but South Australia and Tasmania have reported mid-year fatalities below the five-year average.
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