Finland Introduces Wildlife Crossings for Elk and Deer

In a promising development for road safety, a new wildlife alert system near Turku has effectively reduced animal-related accidents to zero during its testing phase.

Authorities in Southwest Finland are reporting encouraging results from a trial of a wildlife crossing system situated near the town of Naantali.

Launched on Tuesday, this innovative system aims to alert drivers to animals attempting to cross the road.

A wildlife fence runs along both sides of the road, creating a gap at the crossing point that allows animals safe passage.

To further enhance safety, a series of warning signs and flashing lights inform drivers of potential animal crossings.

“A radar detects animals approaching the road, prompting the warning lights to activate,” explained Jaakko Klang, a traffic safety engineer at the Southwest Finland Center for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

A Promising Impact

A similar system had been previously tested near Nousiainen, just northwest of Turku. Initially lacking warning lights, that site saw 10 recorded collisions. After the lights were added, the number of collisions involving deer and elk dropped dramatically to zero.

“In conditions of darkness or poor weather, drivers reduced their speed by more than 10 kilometers per hour,” Klang noted, highlighting a significant behavioral change prompted by the system.

In Finland, the challenge of preventing accidents between vehicles and large wildlife, particularly elk, has long been a pressing concern for authorities. While the frequency of these incidents is declining, certain areas remain notorious for accidents.

Collisions with elk pose significant risks, as these hefty animals can weigh up to 700 kilograms. The unique physiology of elk often results in their bodies crashing onto the car’s windshield, endangering passengers inside.

Notably, the warning system near Naantali is also sensitive to smaller animals, including foxes and raccoon dogs, further enhancing its utility.

With a cost of approximately 70,000 euros, Klang believes that this system is a cost-effective solution to address the ongoing challenge of animal-related road accidents.

“Constructing an underpass or overpass for wildlife can run into millions,” he pointed out, emphasizing the financial advantages of this new approach.