TXDOT ANNOUNCES AREAS OF MOST WILDLIFE/CAR COLLISIONS

  

Wildlife and Houston area motorists collide about once a day on average, records show. It’s an occurrence that’s responsible for about 26 serious vehicle injuries this year.

According to state TXDOT officials, it’s probably the most tragic and classic example of human and animal conflict

Most times, accidents occur along long stretches of rural roadways that are lined with brush and forests, with little development in sight.

Sometimes the number of accidents increases as a result off sprawling residential and commercial developments encroaching on once lush, secluded forest.

Records show that between 2009 and 2014 a wild animal on the road contributed to more than 2,000 vehicle accidents and two subsequent deaths in the Greater Houston region.

There could be more, but TxDOT only classifies reports as accidents if they cause at least $1,000 in damages.

Many times accidents are unavoidable, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say. When an animal suddenly leaps or swoops into the paths of unsuspecting Texas motorists, it may be too late to avoid an accident.

And the concern isn’t unique to the Houston area.

Two of the roads mentioned by TXDOT as having a high rate of vehicle versus animal is Highway 109 going out towards Columbus, with 14 of these collisions occurring in the past year, and FM 1960 with 15 accidents.

The data doesn’t indicate what type of animal was involved in the accident, but it could range from deer, armadillo, coyote, raccoons or swooping raptors

It’s a growing problem, Houston-are wildlife caretakers say. But they add that education and regional conservation efforts are keys to coexist with wildlife.