Animals on Alaskan roads — Alaska Permit Test

Most vehicle-moose accidents occur at dawn and dusk, when light is low and moose are most active.

Moose are dark and tall, and in low light their bodies sit above your headlights, so they are hard to see in time.

Moose can be difficult to see, and most vehicle-moose accidents occur at dawn and dusk when light is low and moose are most active.

To watch for animals, reduce your speed at night and use high beams when possible.

High beams show an animal at the roadside sooner, and slower speed gives you room to stop.

Reduce your speed at night and use high beams when possible.

Deer and moose often travel in pairs or groups, so if one crosses, slow down and watch for others that may follow.

Drivers who see one animal cross often speed up again and hit the second one following it.

Deer and moose often travel in pairs or groups, so if an animal is spotted crossing the road, slow down and be alert for others that may follow.

Briefly use flashers or a headlight signal to warn approaching drivers when deer or moose are in or near the highway.

The driver coming toward you may not have seen the animal yet, and a quick flash gives them time to slow.

Briefly use flashers or a headlight signal to warn approaching drivers when deer or moose are spotted in or near the highway.

Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, extra lights or reflectors to deter animals; your best defense is your own responsible behavior.

Gadgets give drivers a false sense of safety, and the animal does not know the device is there.

Research has shown that your best defense is your own responsible behavior.

If an animal runs in front of your vehicle, brake firmly but do not swerve.

Swerving can cause a crash with another vehicle or send you into a pedestrian, a tree or a utility pole, which is often worse than the animal.

If an animal does run in front of your vehicle, brake firmly but do not swerve.

Big game animals killed or injured in a vehicle collision are the property of the state, and you must notify a State Trooper or a Fish & Wildlife Officer as soon as possible.

The state needs to know so the animal can be dealt with and the meat salvaged, and a hurt animal near the road is a danger to others.

If, following a vehicle collision, you kill or injure a big game animal, you must notify a State Trooper or a Fish & Wildlife Officer as soon as possible.

When do most vehicle-moose accidents occur?

At dawn and dusk. Moose are dark and tall, and in low light their bodies sit above your headlights, so they are hard to see in time. Alaska Driver Manual, p.72: “Moose can be difficult to see, and most vehicle-moose accidents occur at dawn and dusk when light is low and moose are most active.”