Roe deer and wild boars are often involved in collisions. In the event of a material accident, with no injuries on board the vehicle and therefore no emergency intervention, what is the procedure to follow?
Frédéric Audurier, director of the Deux-Sèvres Hunting Federation. “When it is struck and killed by a vehicle, the animal belongs to the owner of the vehicle and only he can enjoy it. Before any transport, he must call the gendarmerie or the police, depending on the area, to notify the collision. It is obligatory even if, in reality, very few people do it. »
Many motorists do not want to leave with the dead animal. What happens in this case?
“Many indeed end up in ditches. There are also people who pass by when they see a collision… and the animal doesn't stay long. Otherwise it is the role of the Department's roads service, or the mayor, who must have it removed. »
And in the case of an animal still alive, but injured and dying?
“We must end our suffering as quickly as possible. If the animal remained nearby after the shock, its life expectancy is very limited. There is no other solution. »
Many motorists are unable to do this.
” Indeed. You can then call the police, firefighters or the mayor of the town. Locally they know the presidents of hunting associations. Often among the passing motorists, there is also someone who hunts or who has already done so. You still need to have a weapon or something to do it with you. There is also the case of injured animals who leave. We can call on blood dog handlers, specialized in searching for injured animals, to find the animal and avoid making it die. »
Is a collision with a “big game” subject to specific compensation?
“There was a compensation fund, but it no longer exists. This is really the responsibility of the driver and their insurance. If he is fully insured, he will be responsible for the excess. If he is a third party unfortunately everything is his responsibility. The insurance of a hunting rights holder works if the animal has been disturbed by hunting. We have few collisions in this context. »
Several collisions occurred at the end of 2024, notably during Christmas week. Are wild boar and deer populations higher this year?
“I don’t think so. The particularity of this year is that the corn harvests took place relatively late [en raison de la météo]the animals are moving a lot at the moment. »
Do we know precisely how many accidents they cause?
“No, there are no more counts. About twenty years ago, we had the “collision bracelet”. It was about 10% of the total. If we keep the same proportion, today there would be between 250 and 300 deer killed on the roads and as many wild boars. Between Niort and Thouars, there can be between 100 and 120 collisions per year. »
What is special about the D743?
“This road cuts the Gâtine in two and its surroundings are suitable for animals, which pass from one side to the other. As traffic is heavy, they have a high chance of being hit. »
What precautions can we take?
“Be very vigilant, especially at night, and respect speed limits. But even this does not always prevent collisions… Deer and roe deer can be seen along the roadsides: we can see their eyes. For wild boars, it's more problematic: their eyes don't shine with headlights. Deer and roe deer move at nightfall and before daybreak. Wild boars are there at all hours. You should also be careful on roads bordered by bramble bushes. It's easy when you know, much less when you're just passing through. »
Are ultrasonic whistles attached to the bodywork effective?
“We can use them. It doesn't cost very much to install but there is no proof that it works 100%. There are collisions with cars equipped with them. »
Two serious accidents in 2024
Although they cause numerous collisions, wild animals are more rarely involved in serious accidents. But it happens. The Deux-Sèvres gendarmerie recorded two in 2024: on September 8 in Moncoutant, a car hit a wild boar, then a tree. Its occupants were injured, one seriously. In Largeasse on December 23, a driver was also seriously injured after losing control of his van while trying to avoid a deer.
The same day, in Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan, a nine-month pregnant woman was taken to hospital for examinations following an accident caused by a wild boar. On December 28, a motorist was slightly injured in the face during a collision with a wild boar near the Mazières-en-Gâtine golf course.
The gendarmerie specifies that it supports the carrying out of administrative searches intended to reduce, in a preventive manner, the number of animals in certain sectors. One was carried out in the Thouars sector. Others are in preparation north of Niort.
