What Factors Affect a Semi-Truck Collision With a Moose?

It's no big secret that hitting a moose is bad - both for the semi-truck and for the driver. While a smaller percentage of vehicle-animal collisions involve hitting moose, these accidents involve a higher amount of injury and death (according to many scientific studies, such as this American College of Surgeons study and this CDC study).

There are factors, however, that affect the vehicle collision with a moose. Read on to learn more! If you're interested in a custom moose bumper for your semi-truck, contact the experts at Truck Defender Bumpers.

The Commercial Truck Driver's Speed

A big contributing factor is the speed that the heavy-duty truck is traveling at. 

With a faster moving vehicle, the moose will have less time to react and get out of the way. At the same time, it will take a longer distance to bring semi-truck to a stop after the driver hits the brakes.

It's no surprise that collisions at a higher speed have a higher chance of injury and fatality.

The Time of Year

Various research studies find that moose collisions happen more often in the spring and summer. It's important to always be on alert for potential obstacles, but especially during these seasons.

The Time of Day

Most moose-vehicle collisions happen between dusk and dawn. This is often when moose are most active and likely to be venturing out onto the road. At the same time, this is when semi-truck drivers have limited visibility due to the darkness.

It's good practice to driver at a lower speed at night when visibility is reduced, but especially given the higher chance of a moose collision!

Want to get a custom moose bumper for your semi-truck? Reach out to Truck Defender Bumpers. We can help you create the best custom moose semi-truck bumper for your budget and business. We are located in Vale, South Dakota, and proudly serve those throughout the United States.