Photo: shankar s., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Moose are the wildlife hazard that sets Newfoundland and Labrador apart. The Driver’s Handbook estimates about 110,000 moose in the province, and the provincial Moose Management Plan records 422 to 641 moose-vehicle collisions a year over the decade to 2021. This guide covers what Newfoundland and Labrador’s handbook and government advisories tell new drivers: when and why moose are on the road, what to do when one appears, and the local tools that help. For general wildlife advice across Canada, see moose, deer and caribou on Canadian roads.
Key facts
- About 110,000 moose in the province (handbook estimate).
- Over 50 per cent of moose collisions happen between dusk and dawn in summer and fall.
- Moose-vehicle collisions are about 6 per cent of all reported collisions in the province (Moose Management Plan 2022 to 2026).
- Report moose sightings near roads: 1-855-89MOOSE (66673).
- Moose crossing warning signs mark high-risk areas.
How common are moose collisions in Newfoundland and Labrador?
From the Moose Management Plan 2022 to 2026 (Table 1):
| Year | Moose-vehicle collisions | Injuries | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 608 | 142 | 0 |
| 2013 | 641 | 102 | 1 |
| 2014 | 566 | 125 | 2 |
| 2015 | 565 | 123 | 1 |
| 2016 | 529 | 122 | 2 |
| 2017 | 542 | 130 | 1 |
| 2018 | 490 | 84 | 0 |
| 2019 | 439 | 75 | 0 |
| 2020 | 474 | 84 | 2 |
| 2021 (incomplete data) | 438 | 69 | 1 |
The plan links the collision rate closely to traffic volumes, and also to moose densities and vehicle speeds.
Why moose come onto Newfoundland roads
The handbook gives three reasons:
- Salt. They eat road salt that collects on roadside vegetation and in roadside pools.
- Food. The first green growth of the season usually appears at the road edge.
- Flies. Wind-swept roadways give them relief from flies.
A May 2024 provincial advisory added a seasonal factor: in spring, many yearlings leave their mothers, putting more moose near roads.
When the risk is highest
- Time of day: dusk to dawn. More than half of collisions happen then.
- Season: summer and fall, with extra risk in late spring as yearlings disperse.
- Place: stretches with moose crossing warning signs. The handbook’s moose sign means moose cross that section of road regularly: slow down and drive with caution.
How to avoid a moose collision: the Newfoundland and Labrador checklist
- Slow down, especially at night, so you have time to react.
- Scan the road and both shoulders as far ahead as you can.
- Use high beams when safe; dim them for oncoming traffic and when overtaking.
- Keep headlights working, clean and properly aimed, and the windshield clean.
- Watch for moose warning signs, radio reports of sightings, and other drivers flashing their high beams at you.
- Stay focused. Do not become distracted.
- Everyone wears a seatbelt.
Why speed matters so much
The handbook uses a moose to explain stopping distance. At 60 km/h in good conditions, an alert driver travels about 12 m while reacting and another 20 m braking. Double your speed and your reaction distance doubles too, before braking distance is added. At highway speed at night, a moose at the edge of your headlights may already be inside your stopping distance.
What to do when a moose is on the road
| Situation | What the handbook says |
|---|---|
| An animal is on the road ahead | Brake slowly, sound your horn and flash your headlights. Do not swerve. Try to pass smoothly behind the animal. |
| A moose suddenly appears in front of you | Brake hard and choose an escape route away from oncoming traffic. |
Animals can be hypnotized by headlight glare, so a moose may stand still in your lane. The handbook calls moose large and unpredictable; a collision can cause serious vehicle damage, injury or death.
If you hit a moose
- Stop safely, turn on hazard lights and use warning triangles if you have them.
- Call police or emergency services if needed, and give an accurate location and the condition of anyone injured.
- You must report the collision to police if anyone is injured or killed, or if damage is $2,000 or more.
- Record the time, location and weather, and notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
What the province is doing
- About 17 km of moose fencing on the west coast near Stephenville (2024 release).
- A May 2026 announcement of $6 million for new fencing and brush clearing: 4 km from the Foxtrap weigh scales to Round Pond on the Avalon Peninsula, and 6.5 km from Glide Lake Road along the Trans-Canada Highway to Little Harbour.
- Ongoing brush clearing to improve sightlines, and funding for a moose sightings hotline.
Fencing reduces collisions where installed, the province says, but most roads are not fenced. Drive as if a moose could be anywhere.
Common questions
When are moose most active on Newfoundland roads?
Between dusk and dawn, in summer and fall. Over half of moose collisions happen in those conditions.
Should I swerve to miss a moose?
The handbook says do not swerve when an animal is on the road ahead: brake, sound the horn, flash your lights. If one suddenly appears in front of you, brake hard and choose an escape route away from oncoming traffic.
How do I report a moose near the highway?
Call 1-855-89MOOSE (66673).
Are moose questions on the Newfoundland written test?
The test is based on the handbook, which covers animals on the road and the moose crossing sign. Learn both. See the written test guide.
Can a learner drive at night to practise moose awareness?
Not between midnight and 5 a.m. at Level I. Practise at dusk with your supervisor instead. See novice rules.
Start the full licensing path at learning to drive in Newfoundland and Labrador, and read winter driving for new drivers before your first winter.
Sources
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, “Driver’s Handbook” (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, “Newfoundland and Labrador Moose Management Plan 2022 to 2026” (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, “Public Advisory: Drivers Encouraged to be Aware of Moose When Travelling Provincial Roadways”, 16 May 2024 (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Transportation and Infrastructure, “Provincial Government Advances Safety Measures to Improve Moose Sightings on Provincial Roads Network”, 10 June 2024 (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Transportation and Infrastructure, “Provincial Government Investing $6 Million to Improve Road Safety and Reduce Moose-Vehicle Collisions”, 29 May 2026 (gov.nl.ca)