Hazard perception handbook - RTA

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Animals on the road
you might have seen numerous dead animals on or beside roads in the city and
the country. Animals can be even more unpredictable than humans when they
encounter a road. They can also be very hard to see, particularly at night and on
dark country roads.
Again, scanning is the first hazard perception skill that you can apply to avoid a
collision with an animal. This means that you need to scan the road and the sides
of the road.
Where you know you are likely to encounter animals, it is a good idea to slow down.
This gives you a better chance of spotting animals moving on to the road and
braking or swerving to avoid them. Look out for signs such as these.
Things are more difficult in built-up areas where you are less likely to come across
wild animals or stock (eg sheep or cattle), but may encounter cats and dogs. Even
with good scanning skills you may not spot an animal in time to be able to avoid
it. Remember that your safety and that of other humans takes priority. So stop if
you can do so safely, or steer round the animal. your first instinct is probably to try
to avoid hitting it. But if avoiding it would mean colliding with other vehicles or
pedestrians, or perhaps injuring yourself, it may be necessary to hit the animal.
RMS’ Road Users’ Handbook and our website provide information on what to do if
you hit and kill or injure an animal.
Hazard perception handbook
NSW • 001
premier state