Are you driving?

By driving at a lower speed, you reduce the risk of hitting animals and can enjoy the landscape more

READING TIME 7 MIN

Bears and people cross or travel on roads for the same needs. Bears, as well as many other animals, cross roads to move from one valley to another. Worldwide, millions of bears and other animals are injured and killed every year. Let us commit ourselves to reducing the risks. On the other hand, from a bear’s point of view, it is not the bear that crosses a town or a road, but rather, these roads have appeared in the animal’s valleys.

Bears need space for their daily lives, to search for food and mates, and can move in areas of more than 100 km2. Especially in protected areas, there is always the possibility that they will cross our path. With a little care, the worst can be avoided.

Stopping your vehicle is not always easy, because too many factors are involved in an accident: our attention, the visibility of the road, the weather conditions, the condition of the vehicle. By slowing down in advance, you can also enjoy the scenery more. If you see a bear (or other animal), although it is a unique experience, remember that having this privilege also comes with a responsibility to minimise our impact while observing it.

Read this list of good practices and find the one(s) that suit you best:

Drive slowly. Observe the recommended speed limits and above all seriously consider to keep to below the limits when you are on mountain roads or pass natural areas. In emergency situations, the stopping distance at 70 km/h is about 30 metres, which is already too much to avoid an accident. If you see an animal crossing the road, slow down and signal with your lights to other drivers that there is a dangerous situation going on. Above all, do not chase it or try to get closer to get a better view of it. If there is phone cover, immediately alert the Carabinieri or Park Rangers.

If you are on an expressway and you see an animal in the middle of the lane, report it immediately to the Carabinieri or the road company.

If you see an animal on the road, slow down and choose not to stop. Bears need to feed undisturbed to fatten up and get through the winter. Keep driving and give the bear a chance to survive in a man-made environment that puts it under such strain. If you just can’t resist, pull over safely (ideally in a pull-in) without blocking the lane and ideally observe the bears from the car. If you stop, make sure that you do not obstruct the animal’s movement or make its escape route inaccessible. Always observe for only a few seconds, then move away so you don’t create a gathering of cars. It is not safe for people or bears.

Never leave food or feed the animals. This is not only harmful, you also increase the likelihood of them getting used to eating by the roadside and being run over, or getting too used to humans.

If you find yourself in a crowd of cars and people watching a bear from the road, slow down and consider not stopping. This is the best way to ensure the animal’s peace of mind at the roadside. For your and the others’ safety, as you move away, signal other oncoming vehicles to slow down with your lights. Proceed with caution as your view is often blocked by improperly parked cars. Watch out for distracted drivers, people crossing the road or the possibility of a bear rushing in front of you because it is frightened by people.

For the future of the bear, every small action counts. Spread knowledge, raise awareness, make a difference.

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