Kangaroos and Vehicles

Canberra is unique among Australian cities in having such large populations of free-ranging kangaroos within its urban area.

Canberra, the ACT and adjacent areas in NSW, are 'hot spots' for motor vehicle collisions involving kangaroos. NSW police have attended far more collisions in the Yass-Goulburn-Queanbeyan area than anywhere else, including other NSW country towns and rural districts. In Canberra, rangers commonly record more than 1,000 roadside kangaroo attendances per year, and estimate there are twice as many collisions as attendances. This is not reducing the kangaroo populations, nor is the annual increase in the number of collisions due merely to expansion of Canberra and increased numbers of cars. The rate per registered vehicle, of motor vehicle collisions involving kangaroos, has been increasing significantly.

In a 2008 telephone survey of 600 Canberra residents, out of the respondents who had ever owned an ACT registered vehicle, 17 per cent stated that the vehicle had hit a kangaroo on an ACT road. These collisions have economic and social impacts, as well as raising animal welfare concerns. Information and data obtained from motor insurers show that a high proportion of the ACT/NSW 'hit animal' claims come from the Canberra area. Insurers often issue media releases in winter/early spring to warn drivers of the risk.

Contributing Factors

Factors contributing to motor vehicle collisions involving kangaroos in the ACT include:

• high kangaroo numbers and the extensive open space areas of Canberra;
• high speed roads with frequent traffic;
• driver inattention and ignorance of potentially high risk road sections; and
• driving too fast.

When Do Collisions Occur?

From data collection and analysis in the ACT, New South Wales and some other states, the following observations can be made about collisions with kangaroos:

• the peak time for crashes is between 5:00 and 10:00 PM;
• the rate of crashes is higher in winter;
• there are more collisions following long periods of dry weather; and
• there are more collisions with kangaroos near the full moon phase than the new moon phase. 

Seriousness of the Collisions?

Kangaroos account for the highest proportion of fatal collisions among all collisions with animals. Collisions with other objects occur either as secondary collisions following a collision with a kangaroo, or as a result of drivers attempting to avoid a kangaroo.

Reducing Collisions

Worldwide, there has been much effort to develop strategies and techniques to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle collisions with wildlife. The closest parallel to the Australian situation is collisions between deer and vehicles in North America and Europe. Techniques used there to reduce collisions have been considered in Australia.

Driver education and the use of fencing and/or underpasses are considered to be the most recommended techniques. However, fencing and underpasses are not suitable in all locations and are expensive to construct and maintain. Wildlife warning reflectors and ultrasonic devices have been proven to be ineffective.

Refer to Section 3.9.4 of the ACT Kangaroo Management Plan for an analysis of techniques used for reducing vehicle collisions.

What Can I Do to Minimise the Risk of Having a Motor Collision with a Kangaroo?

• Drive more cautiously in the evening and at night;
• Drive more cautiously in the kangaroo ‘hot spots’ (listed below and marked with the large warning signs illustrated below);
• Slow down if you see a kangaroo. Other kangaroos may be active in the area as well;
• Be aware of what is on the edges of the road ahead, as well as the middle; and
• Appoint a passenger as a kangaroo 'spotter'.

What Should I Do if I Hit a kangaroo?

Firstly, attend to the safety of you and your passengers, arrange medical support for people injured if necessary, and consider the safety of other road users. Secondly, turn to the needs of the kangaroo. Eastern grey kangaroos are lightly built. They are also a flighty, nervous species not ideally suited to confinement in veterinary facilities. Their leg bones withstand the great forces of hopping but are vulnerable to force in other directions, and can be difficult to repair adequately, as are head injuries and other internal injuries. The reality is that kangaroos that do not hop away from motor vehicle collisions are almost invariably deemed beyond veterinary treatment. Prompt euthanasia is the best response. The pouch of female kangaroos should be inspected, and any young also euthanised.

Report all accidents involving injured wildlife to Canberra Connect on 13 22 81. Be sure to explain whether the animal is dead or alive and its exact location.

In addition, all accidents involving a motor vehicle should be reported to the police on 131444.

Exceptional Hot Spots for Motor Vehicle Collisions with Kangaroos:

• Fairbairn Avenue;
• Majura Road;
• Hindmarsh Drive; and
• Mugga Lane

Hot Spots for Motor Vehicle Collisions with Kangaroos:

• Limestone Avenue;
• Sulwood Drive;
• William Hovell Drive;
• Antill Street;
• Woodcock Drive;
• Monaro Highway;
• Long Gully Road;
• Yamba Drive;
• Athllon Drive;
• Tuggeranong Parkway;
• Tharwa Drive; and
• Erindale Drive.