New study shows cost of vehicle-wildlife collisions in California

A new study released by UC Davis shows the impact that wildlife-vehicle collisions have on our state’s animals and drivers.

It found that wildlife-vehicle conflict, also known as WVC, cost the state and drivers an estimated 276 million dollars in 2016, up 20% from the year before.

In our area, State Routes Nine and 17 were the hotspots for WVC’s, accounting for just under 200 accidents, nine fatalities, and almost 5 million dollars in damages over a two-year period.

The California Highway Patrol says the overwhelming number of incidents reported to them involved Mule Deer, accounting for 89% of WVC’s.