Ottawa's Ontario Provincial Police are issuing a fresh reminder to local drivers: as tempting as it might be to stop and help wildlife on the road, doing so on a highway like the 417 can put lives at serious risk.
The warning comes after a wild turkey was struck by traffic on Highway 417, one of Ottawa's busiest commuter corridors. While the incident may sound almost comical, OPP say the impulse to brake or pull over for animals — no matter how large or unusual — creates serious hazards for everyone on the road.
Why Stopping Is So Dangerous
Highway 417 moves fast. Whether you're merging near Kanata or cruising through downtown Ottawa, vehicles travel at speeds where sudden stops can have devastating consequences. A driver who slows unexpectedly can trigger rear-end collisions, and someone who pulls onto the shoulder to check on an animal becomes a vulnerable pedestrian in a high-speed environment.
OPP emphasize that even well-intentioned roadside stops — to shoo a deer, help a goose, or check on a fallen bird — place both the driver and other motorists in danger. The seconds it takes to react to someone stopped unexpectedly can simply not be enough at highway speeds.
Wild Turkeys Are More Common Than You Think
If you've driven rural stretches around Ottawa, Kanata, Stittsville, or Greely lately, you've probably already spotted wild turkeys on the move. These big birds have made a strong comeback in eastern Ontario over the past few decades, and spring — when they're actively roaming and breeding — is prime time for turkey-vehicle encounters.
Unlike smaller animals, wild turkeys can cause real vehicle damage and, in some cases, enter the cabin through the windshield. But OPP's message remains the same: keep driving safely and do not stop on the highway.
What You Should Do Instead
If you spot an injured or distressed animal on or near a highway, here's what OPP and wildlife officials recommend:
- Don't stop on the highway. If you must report it, pull off at the next safe exit or rest area.
- Call the OPP non-emergency line or the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to report injured wildlife.
- Never attempt to pick up or move a wild animal yourself — wild turkeys in particular can be aggressive and have sharp talons.
- Use your hazard lights briefly if you need to slow down, but don't linger.
For true emergencies involving animals that are blocking traffic and causing an active hazard, call 911.
A Reminder Every Spring
This kind of advisory isn't new — OPP issue similar reminders each spring as animals become more active and road crossings increase. Deer, geese, groundhogs, and turkeys are all commonly spotted near Ottawa-area highways during warmer months.
The bottom line: your safety and the safety of other drivers always comes first. Reporting the animal from a safe location is the best thing you can do — for yourself and for the wildlife.
Source: CTV News Ottawa / Google News Ottawa RSS feed
