Prince George, B.C. – We’re all familiar with traffic jams, but how about bear jams?

The BC Conservation Service says it’s an issue people should be aware of this time of year.

Deputy Chief Chris Doyle says in the spring bears are attracted to the road side where often times the vegetation greens up sooner than it does elsewhere.

“And this has it’s own risks – both to the bear and the public. They cause what’s known as bear jams,” he says. “People stop to photograph the bears and the problem is it causes bears to be habituated to people.”

Doyle says it often leads to bears being hit by vehicles on the province’s highways.

“Because if they are getting fed they’re going to be attracted to those cars. So we’re asking people when they see bears on the side of the road just to keep moving and not stop to take photographs.”

CO’s confirm bear jams can be problem spots on Highway 16 between Smithers and Terrace with Kermode bears and note almost yearly they have to put up signs to stop the traffic hazards of people parked all over the road.

As of April 1 this year, there have been 300 bear/human conflicts in the province. There were over 15,000 last year.