Car accidents caused by wild fauna in the Tuscany region

In recent years, accidents caused by wild animals have increased greatly in the region of Tuscany (Italy) and have caused remarkable social and economic implications. In 2004, the Regional Government of Tuscany promoted a long term study on the topic of “car accidents caused by the wild fauna in the Tuscany Region” with the aim to gain a deeper knowledge regarding the characteristics of this topic in order to suggest possible solutions for the prevention and mitigation of the increasing problem. The study was carried out by the University of Florence (with the help of provincial and regional governments) in order to assess the reports of car accidents happening on the road network of Tuscany during the period 2001!2008. Subsequently, a detailed analysis of the collected information was correlated in order to give evidence of the evolution and of the main peculiarities of these occurrences. The results of the research can be summarised as follows: a) for the studied period, figures of the phenomenon has increased in the whole Regional territory; b)the phenomenon affects each Province in different ways; c) the number of the interested Municipalities has increased over time; d) the most important wild species involved are ungulates, in particular Wild boar and Roe deer; e) the accidents occur every day of the week and increase at the weekend; f)the time band of higher risk range between the twilight hours and the first hours of morning; g) the greater animal presence is not the only and most important cause of the accidents; h) the awareness of the drivers and their driving behaviour play a fundamental role in avoiding car accidents or more serious consequences. Moreover, the study permitted the identification of the most dangerous roads. Finally, the main guidelines are laid out for the prevention and the mitigation of the problem.