An 18-year-old driver is in intensive care in Alaska after hitting a moose on an icy road Monday night. The teen’s mother told WITN Greenville she is “amazed that she’s alive.”
I looked at the WITN report to confirm the details. The collision happened on a road made slick by winter conditions, which likely contributed to the driver’s inability to avoid the animal. Moose are particularly dangerous to hit because their tall bodies and long legs often send the animal through the windshield rather than over the hood, causing severe injuries to vehicle occupants.
Alaska sees hundreds of moose-vehicle collisions each year, especially during the darker winter months when moose are more active near roadsides and drivers have less visibility. The Alaska Department of Transportation advises drivers to slow down in areas with moose warning signs and to be especially cautious at dawn and dusk.
What this means for homeowners in moose country
If you live in a state with a significant moose population, such as Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, or Colorado, a moose can wander from wooded areas into yards or across suburban roads any time of year. The best protection is to reduce speed on roads that pass through forested or rural areas, particularly during low-light hours. Moose have dark fur that makes them nearly invisible against asphalt at night.
For homeowners who want to reduce the chance of attracting moose to their property, removing low-hanging branches and keeping ornamental shrubs trimmed can make the yard less appealing as a food source. While moose are not as common around houses as raccoons or squirrels, look for signs of squirrels in your house to address a different type of wildlife issue, a moose interaction on the road can be life-threatening. If you see a moose near a roadway, slow down well in advance and do not swerve sharply, which can cause a loss of control on ice.
The story was confirmed by WITN Greenville. No further updates on the teen’s condition have been released.
The notice is published by WITN Greenville at www.witn.com.
