Risk of elk collisions at its greatest in the autumn – Elk Sign event in Tampere on 12 October
The risk of an elk collision is at its greatest in the autumn, but drivers can reduce their accident risk with their own driving behaviour. The Elk Sign event provides drivers with the opportunity to talk to experts about how to prevent elk-related accidents and how to act at a collision site.
Around 1,800 elk-related accidents occur in Finland every year. This risk is heightened in the autumn during the elk mating, hunting and winter migration seasons.
Elk collisions can be prevented by constructing fences and over or underpasses. Various technical elk warning systems have also become more advanced over the years.
“Every driver can reduce the risk of collision with their own driving behaviour. Drivers should be especially alert in morning and evening conditions and decrease their driving speeds when they are in any elk hazard areas,” notes Chief Adviser Jussi Pohjonen from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
Elk Sign event provides expert advice for accident situations
The Finnish Driving Schools Association, the Finnish Hunters’ Association and Traficom will hold the Elk Sign event on Saturday 12 October, 10.00–14.00 in Tampere at the Shell petrol station in Hervanta. The event provides drivers with the opportunity to talk to experts on how to prevent elk-related accidents and how to act at a collision site. Visitors will also be able to test various technical elk warning systems.
The star of the event: Mr. Elk
Naturally, the star of the event is Mr. Elk: a full-grown male elk that you can inspect from behind a windshield. Visitors will also receive themed safety reflectors and flags for marking elk collision sites.
The Elk Sign campaign has been touring around Finland every autumn since 2015. The goal of the campaign is to educate drivers on how to anticipate elk collisions and provide them with instructions on how to act in case of a collision. The campaign is arranged in collaboration with Shell HelmiSimpukka, St1 Oy and V-Traffic.
Enquiries
Jussi Pohjonen, Chief Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 5310, jussi.pohjonen(at)traficom.fi, Twitter @JussiPohjonen (External link)