7 Ways to Avoid Wildlife Collisions When Driving at Night in Australia

Driving through regional Australia after dark can feel like navigating an obstacle course. Kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, and even the occasional emu can appear on the road with little warning. Here are seven practical ways to reduce your risk.

1. Slow Down at Dusk and Dawn

This is the single most effective thing you can do. Kangaroos are crepuscular, meaning they're most active during the twilight hours around sunrise and sunset. Reducing your speed during these periods gives you more reaction time and reduces the severity of any collision.

As a rule of thumb, if you're driving through areas with kangaroo warning signs, consider dropping your speed by at least 20 km/h during dusk and dawn.

2. Use High Beams When Possible

High beams dramatically increase your visibility at night, giving you more time to spot animals on or near the road. Kangaroo eyes reflect headlights, so high beams can help you spot them from further away.

Just remember to dip your lights for oncoming traffic, and be aware that some animals may freeze when caught in bright lights.

3. Watch for Eye Shine

Animals' eyes reflect light back at you. Scanning the road edges for small pairs of glowing dots can alert you to an animal's presence before you can see its body. If you spot eye shine, slow down immediately.

4. Be Extra Careful Near Water Sources

Kangaroos and other wildlife are drawn to water, especially during dry periods. If you're driving near creeks, dams, or irrigated farmland, be on high alert.

5. Don't Swerve

This is counterintuitive, but if a collision is unavoidable, it's generally safer to brake firmly and hit the animal rather than swerve. Swerving at speed can cause you to lose control, roll the vehicle, or collide with oncoming traffic, outcomes that are often far worse than the initial animal strike.

6. Watch for Groups

Kangaroos are social animals that travel in mobs. If you see one kangaroo cross the road, there are almost certainly more nearby. Slow down and scan both sides of the road carefully.

7. Consider a Wildlife Deterrent Device

Technology is beginning to offer new solutions. Devices that emit deterrent signals can encourage animals to move away from the road before your vehicle reaches them. This proactive approach addresses the problem before it becomes an emergency.

RooGuard is developing exactly this kind of technology: a portable, car-mounted device designed to deter kangaroos and other animals from the road. Join our waitlist to learn more.

The Bottom Line

No single measure can eliminate the risk of wildlife collisions entirely. But combining smart driving habits with emerging technology like RooGuard can significantly reduce the danger for both drivers and animals.

Stay safe out there.