More moose facts, less moose fiction

The Telegram ran an article on Saturday May 21 with the ambitious title "More moose facts, less moose fiction".

Good public policy begins with reliable data. The author is correct in stating that "there is no reliable data available to government to indicate with any real accuracy the true size of the resource."

He is also correct in stating that there is "uncertainty surrounding the number of collisions each year between moose and motor vehicles." This speaks to the government's lack of care in developing the reliable data needed for sound decisions about the moose vehicle safety issue.

However the author is out of date in referring to RCMP-supplied moose vehicle collision statistics as invalidated by computer searching technique. The RCMP has now completed a physical search of reports and provided statistics that they are prepared to stand by. Taking into account RNC statistics, the number of moose vehicle collisions in 2010 has been reliably stated at 783, and it is rising each year. This information is posted on ChesCrosbie.com.

Many of us kid ourselves with the old nostrum that all moose collisions result from use of alcohol, excessive speed, driver inattention and lack of seatbelt use. This is because we don't want to admit to ourselves that when we venture onto the highways we are in peril of being killed or seriously injured through events outside our control. We want to believe in an orderly and just world in which bad things don't just happen randomly.

Well it ain't so. The story on the Fabian Manning moose collision in the same edition of The Telegram illustrates the disturbing fact of life that bad things do happen randomly:

"Road conditions at the time were dry and clear, and speed is not considered a factor." RCMP Sgt. Mike Oulette said it was just an unavoidable accident.

"The moose just came up onto the road," Oulette said, "it happened so quick the driver was unable to avoid the moose."

We are all pleased that Sen. Manning was released from hospital after several nights and we hope he has no permanent injuries. Not everyone is so lucky.

The area of the Salmonier Line where Sen. Manning suffered his unavoidable accident is said to be "particularly notorious" for moose vehicle conflict, and presumably a candidate for moose fencing - if the government were prepared to follow what is standard practice in the rest of North America.

No, we can't eliminate the random evil of moose vehicle collisions, but yes, we are not completely helpless and we can control this evil. That is why SOPAC and the Moose Vehicle Collision Class Action have adopted the goal of a 50% reduction in serious injuries over five years, a goal the best wildlife science tells us is achievable with moose fencing and better population control.

The provincial government has undertaken legal responsibility for moose management and highway safety. Only government can act. Nothing radical is required. Government need only embrace the goal of collision reduction and start implementing methods to ensure traffic safety already proven effective elsewhere.