What measures are Belarusian road workers and scientists proposing to reduce the number of accidents involving wild animals?
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Road accidents involving wild animals are a widespread problem worldwide. An analysis by the National Academy of Sciences found that high-density road sections with high traffic volumes are the most common locations for wildlife accidents in Belarus.
According to international experience, a range of the following measures can help reduce such accidents:
- installing barriers along roads
- providing wildlife crossings
- speed limits on road sections with frequent accidents
- conducting explanatory work with drivers
- installation of systems warning of wild animals entering the road
- regulating the number of animals, cutting down roadside vegetation, etc.
At a press conference, Deputy Director of Belarusian Road Scientific and Research Institute Evgeny Rokalo noted:
"The primary focus of efforts to prevent accidents involving wild animals is to minimize road accidents involving moose. This is the most dangerous type of accident due to the animal's size and the nature of the collision. Unfortunately, such incidents often result in human losses."
For example, an experiment has been underway for about two years on the M-10 highway in Gomel region: an intelligent crossing for wild animals has been installed. A sensor system detects the presence of an animal within the right-of-way and triggers appropriate road signs to attract drivers' attention.
This year, the so-called Canadian cattle crossing is scheduled to be tested for the first time on the M-6 highway in the Grodno region. It will enable vehicles and cyclists to pass freely, but will also prevent large animals from crossing.
