Kangaroos on the Road: Avoiding a Collision in Australia

Photo: Sklmsta, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The official advice in every Australian handbook is the same. Slow down where animals are likely, brake firmly in a straight line, and never swerve. This guide covers when and where kangaroos and other animals are most likely on the road, what to do in the seconds before a collision, how to deal with livestock and horses, and who to call if you hit an animal.

Key facts

Do not swerve. The NT handbook says swerving at speed is a common cause of single-vehicle rollover crashes. Brake in a controlled way and keep the steering straight and steady.
Dawn, dusk and night are the risk times. Animals are harder to see at sunrise and sunset, and nocturnal animals are on the move.
Warning signs mean the risk is real. A sign such as “Kangaroos Next 40 km” means a higher chance of kangaroos for about the next 40 kilometres.
After a collision, only stop if it is safe. For injured native animals, call a wildlife rescue service. For pets, contact the owner, police or the RSPCA.

When and where are kangaroos most likely on the road?

Time of day: sunrise and sunset, and after dark. Western Australia’s Drive Safe tells country drivers to watch for wildlife and livestock particularly at sunrise and after sunset. The NT handbook advises avoiding driving at dawn, dusk and after dark wherever possible.
Water: animals are more active near waterholes and creeks (NSW Road User Handbook).
Unfenced roads: many NT roads are not fenced. Drivers there can meet birds, cattle, kangaroos, pigs and camels.
Roadkill: large birds and other wildlife feed on roadkill. Slow down and sound your horn if necessary (NT handbook).
Signed areas: slow down when you see an animal warning sign. Signs with a distance plate tell you how long the risk lasts.

More on country conditions: outback and remote driving in Australia and country driving in WA.

What to do if a kangaroo jumps out in front of you

Slow down and brake in a controlled way. Keep both hands on the wheel.
Keep the steering straight. Do not swerve. Swerving can roll the car, send you off the road or put you into oncoming traffic.
Stay in your lane. The NSW handbook warns that swerving may make you lose control or hit oncoming traffic.
Stay slow afterwards. Animals can move quickly and unpredictably, so keep your speed down until you are clear of the area.

Practise firm, straight-line braking with your supervisor in a safe, empty place. See car emergencies: tyre blow outs, brake failure and skids.

How to lower your risk on country trips

Plan trips to avoid dawn and dusk driving in rural areas.
Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see. This matters most at night on low beam.
Use high beam on dark country roads where it is allowed, and dip it for other vehicles. See headlights, high beam and horn rules.
Scan the road edges and verges, not just the road ahead.
Take breaks on long drives. Tired drivers react later. See driver fatigue on Australian roads.

Livestock, stock crossings and horses

Livestock on the road

When you see a stock warning sign, expect farm animals on or near the road. If livestock are ahead, slow down and be prepared to stop.
Give Way to Stock sign: travel at a speed that lets you stop to avoid an animal at or near the sign, or within the distance shown (Victoria).
Stop sign at a stock crossing: stop before the crossing and do not go until all the animals have crossed (Victoria).

Horses and animals being moved

Tasmania’s Road Rules say all road users must give way to agitated or alarmed horses and livestock.
If a rider or the person in charge of the animals raises a hand and points, or tells you to stop, you must stop. Wait until the animals have settled and it is safe to go on.
Pass horses slowly and leave as much space as you can.
Never sound your horn or rev the engine near horses. It can startle them and cause them to bolt.

What to do after hitting an animal

Stop only if it is safe. Pull well off the road and switch on your hazard lights. You may need to walk back to the animal.
Put your own safety first. Wear a high-visibility vest if you carry one. The NT handbook suggests keeping one in the car.
Approach injured animals with extreme care. They may be frightened and could lash out or bite. Keep children and pets away, keep noise and handling to a minimum, and do not offer food or cow’s milk.
Check pouches. Dead kangaroos and possums may carry live joeys.
Move roadkill well clear. The NT handbook says at least 10 metres off the road, but only if it is safe.
Call for help. For a native animal, contact your local wildlife rescue service or a vet. For a pet, contact the owner, police or the RSPCA.

If the crash damaged a vehicle or injured anyone, follow the crash rules in what to do after a crash in Australia.

Who to call for injured wildlife

NSW: the handbook names WIRES (Wildlife Information and Rescue Service). Its rescue office runs 24 hours a day, every day.
Northern Territory: the handbook names Wildcare NT. Some local vets also accept injured wildlife during business hours at no charge.
Other states: contact your local wildlife rescue organisation or nearest vet. Save the number in your phone before a country trip.

Common questions

Should I swerve to avoid a kangaroo?

No. Every handbook that covers animals says not to swerve. Brake in a controlled way with the steering straight. Swerving at speed can cause a rollover or a head-on crash.

What time of day are kangaroos most active?

Around sunrise and sunset, and at night. Official handbooks highlight dawn, dusk and after dark as the high-risk times.

Do I have to stop if I hit a kangaroo?

Stop only if it is safe to do so. If anyone is injured or another vehicle or property is damaged, the normal crash reporting duties apply.

Does sounding the horn scare kangaroos away?

The NT handbook suggests slowing down and sounding the horn if necessary for large birds feeding on roadkill. Braking is still the main response. Never use your horn near horses.

Are learners allowed to drive on country roads at night?

Generally yes, within your learner speed cap and with your supervisor. Night hours are part of most logbooks. Country night driving with a supervisor is valuable practice. See learner licence rules compared.

What should I do with a joey in a dead kangaroo’s pouch?

Call your local wildlife rescue organisation or a vet straight away. The NT handbook asks drivers to check dead kangaroo and possum pouches for joeys and to contact a wildlife rescue service.

Sources

Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules, Version 2.1” (transport.tas.gov.au)
Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)

Kangaroos on Australian Roads: How to Avoid a Collision