With spring approaching, wildlife is becoming increasingly active ⚠️🦌 and we’re noticing significant deer movement around “Jail Hill” on Hwy 16.

In late November and early December last year, (2024), collisions were reported here nearly every day - sometimes even more than once a day - a trend we hope to prevent in the future!

Please be extra cautious while driving and report any wildlife collisions immediately!

To make reporting easier, if you witness a wildlife collision, injured or deceased animal - please contact YRB directly at 250-614-7600 or use their online “report a problem” form at www.yrb.ca: CLICK (HERE) TO REPORT WILDLIFE ACCIDENT, INJURED OR DECEASED ANIMAL

These reports are crucial because the Ministry doesn’t always know how many deer have been hit here.  Accurate data is essential to advocate for necessary safety improvements for both drivers and wildlife around “Jail Hill”.

Reporting Wildlife Collisions

Kevin Lutz, Fort George District Operations Manager with the BC Ministry of Transportation & Transit, provided me with the following guidance:

“Please feel free to forward any animal collisions you notice anywhere on the highway. We have a Wildlife Accident Reporting system through our maintenance contractors that we monitor, compare, and correlate to insurance collision statistics.  Locally, my team does conduct audits on our maintenance contractor’s reporting system.

Furthermore, there are some incidents that do not make it to us or our maintenance contractor as Conservation or citizens remove animal carcasses from the right of way without our knowledge.”

Messaging directly to YRB will be most preferred for their reporting purposes.

If you see an animal collision, please use these methods so it can be properly documented and tracked. This information helps ensure that we have an accurate count of incidents, which is critical for making the case for further safety improvements.

Project Update from MOTI

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) had already planned to install a barrier before this petition began, and we remain hopeful that it will help deter deer from crossing at dangerous locations. The project is moving forward in two stages:

1. Stage One: The barrier will be placed soon.

2. Stage Two (Early Summer): Electrical work will be completed, including trenching to the center of the road where concrete raised medians will be poured. These medians will include a flashing amber warning light above the sign to improve visibility for oncoming traffic and the turning lane.

It was also mentioned that the barrier might help reduce the blinding effect of oncoming headlights - welcome safety benefit.  It’s too bad that lighting won’t be installed during the current electrical work, but hopefully, they change their mind in the future.

Thank you for your continued support in advocating for safer roads!  Stay vigilant, report wildlife collisions, and drive safely 🙏🦌⚠️