Collision with an animal
Every year, sheep are run over while on summer pasture, and several motorists drive off and fail to report the accident.
“I think there is too little knowledge about what to do if you are so unlucky as to hit an animal. Many get a real shock, become frightened and drive on. Unfortunately, there is also a misconception that it will cost a lot to report hitting a sheep or other livestock. This is not true, says Gjensidige's head of communications Pål Rune Eklo.
You are obliged to report animal collisions, and this applies to both livestock and wildlife. Compensation for the animal you hit is a matter between the farmer and your insurance company; you do not have to pay anything or lose your no-claims bonus.
This is what you do if you hit an animal:
- Stop and observe the animal.
- If the animal is dead, try to get it off the carriageway, or set up a warning triangle
- If the animal is injured, assess the injury and try to see where the animal goes. If it is injured, it will often stop and lie down quite quickly. Do not follow it, as it may flee further.
- Report to the owner, the nearest farm, the municipal wildlife board or the police.
- If there is no mobile reception, mark the spot with, for example, a plastic bag, and call to report it when you have mobile reception.
In the event of hitting a sheep: notify the owner by checking the inside of the ear tag or the collar (tag around the neck). You can also contact the various mountain grazing managers:
Hunnedalsheia: Tore Sæland, 996 07 565
Suleskarheia: Halvard Oftedal, 414 50 835 / Ola V. Oftedal, 410 66 241
Brokkeheia: Livar Ravndal, 917 95 433
Fidjelandsheia: Glenn Tore Risa, 415 32 671 / Gunnar Vatland 957 34 929
Rysstadheia: Øyvind Madland, 952 99 583
Police: 02800