According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, there were over four thousand vehicle collisions with wild animals last year, mostly deer. 59 people were injured and one person killed. Across the nation there are about one million collisions each year that kill some 200 people and cause more than ten thousand personal injuries. The peak for collisions is in the fall when animals are on the move and drivers are more likely to be on the road at dawn and dusk.
Amanda Hardy is dedicated to understanding and reducing the negative impacts of transportation systems on wildlife. She's North American program assistant director for the Wildlife Conservation Society. She joined Dakota Midday and discussed efforts to reduce hazards for both drivers and animals.
