This province is prosperous and there’s no reason why its government shouldn’t be doing more to reduce moose-vehicle accidents, a research wildlife biologist told a news conference today.
Tony Clevenger, a researcher in Canmore, Alta., who works with the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, wrote a report for the Save Our People Action Committee (SOPAC).
He said while moose densities in the province are one of the highest in the world, the provincial Department of Transportation and Works is not implementing proven highway mitigation practices — such as fencing — to reduce the accidents.
“The Newfoundland government is misleading public and inaccurate when indicating that there is little that can be done (practically nothing) other than rest sole responsibility on motorists to avoid collisions with moose (be aware and informed; slow down) and by clearing brush from the sides of highways to increase driver visibility,” Clevenger wrote in his report.
He said clearing brush might actually make the problem worse by drawing moose to highway right-of ways.
“Fencing can be put up very quickly. It’s relatively inexpensive and it's extremely effective in reducing animal-vehicle collisions,” Clevenger said.
“I don’t know what it will take for government to do something here. … Maybe it is (former premier) Danny Williams getting in a moose-vehicle collision or someone important to raise the awareness.”
Eugene Nippard, president of SOPAC, said government stopped talking to the lobby group last July.
A class-action lawsuit on the issue was filed earlier this year by lawyer Ches Crosbie.
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On the Avalon, where it appears that most of the moose-vehicle collisions happen in Newfoundland, is also where most people tend to drive without regard for speed limits. Last summer, my wife and I left St. John's on a wet weekday afternoon to drive into central and, while we were travelling at a slower speed due to the poor conditions, most drivers would be passing us as if we were stopped. We were really amazed by the apparent lack of concern for the rain and water build up on the highway along with reduced visibility.. Thankfully, nobody encountered a moose at that time!! A few days later, we travelled back to St, John's under beautiful conditions and we saw at least four RCMP vehicles with people pulled over - for speeding most likely!!!!! P.S. MOOSE COULD CARE LESS IF A HIGHWAY IS DIVIDED AND PEOPLE ENJOY DRIVING A LITTLE FASTER. I WONDER IF THOSE SAME PEOPLE (AND SO MANY OTHERS) AT LEAST SLOW DOWN A LITTLE AFTER DARK AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MOOSE??