New, non traditional  warning signs placed on  road near University

Prince George, B.C. - In the past few weeks, two new signs have gone up along University Way and Tyner Boulevard. The signs show a car with a crumpled hood and a threatening moose looking down onto the vehicle. The moose is obviously the cause of the vehicle damage.

These new signs were prompted by the high number of both moose sightings and moose collisions that occur on this stretch of road. , "Between 5-10 moose are killed along there each year, and with each moose collision, the risk of significant human injury or death increases" says Roy Rea, a moose researcher from UNBC.

"I would like to congratulate Prince George on taking the initiative to try something different," said Gayle Hesse, Coordinator of the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program. "Studies have shown that many drivers don’t notice standard wildlife warning signs. This is the only BC municipality that I know of with non traditional moose warning signs."

Along with a more effective image, the new signs are larger and brighter than regular wildlife warning signs.

Last November, some Prince George citizens were so concerned about the number of moose collisions near UNBC that they volunteered to run a speed watch board. "Drivers should be aware that the speed limit along Tyner Boulevard and University Way is only 70 km/hr," said RCMP Staff Sergeant Gord Flewelling. "Buy yourself some time to react to wildlife on the road and drive at the posted speeds and according to the road conditions."

The Wildlife Collision Prevention Program reminds drivers that a collision with wildlife can happen at any place and at any time, but on the highways around Prince George, October through January are the highest risk months, with 1 or 2 wildlife crashes occurring every day. The critical time to watch for wildlife on the roads is between 4:00 and 8:00 pm. If you see an animal on or near the road, slow down immediately.