Moose on the move: OPP urges caution on northern highways

Ontario Provincial Police say fresh moose tracks near highways are a warning to northern drivers. Officers report multiple sightings amid frigid weather.

Ontario Provincial Police are warning drivers to be extremely vigilant on northern roads as plummeting temperatures are driving moose toward highways in search of salt and easier travel.

The warning comes after officers observed significant wildlife activity, including groups of moose, on Highway 527 and other routes.

In a video posted to social media, OPP Sgt. Kyle Arnold pointed out clear moose tracks from a patrol perspective.

“With the frigid temperatures, the moose are on the move,” he said.

“There have been numerous sightings on Highway 527 with four or five moose at a time on the road.”

Dangerous, unpredictable presence

OPP emphasized the severe risk of a collision with a moose, an animal that can weigh up to 1,200 pounds.

Police said such encounters are most dangerous at night when visibility is poor.

“They run, often crossing highways in the dark where they’re almost impossible to see until it’s too late,” OPP wrote in a social media post.

To help drivers identify potential danger, police listed specific signs that indicate moose may be near the roadway:

• moose tracks in the snow along the shoulder,
• official wildlife warning signs,
• any movement in the roadside ditches and
• streaks of fresh salt on the pavement, as moose are known to lick it.

Arnold connected these signs directly to driver action.

“If you see tracks … on the side of the road on your travels, that’s a sign to slow down,” he said.

Defensive driving for winter conditions

OPP’s post outlined key defensive driving techniques for current conditions. At night, drivers are advised to:

• Use high beams whenever it is safe and oncoming traffic allows,
• continuously scan both sides of the road ahead and
• proactively reduce speed during extreme cold snaps.

The overarching message from OPP is a simple one: drive carefully.

“One small choice keeps you safe and keeps them alive,” wrote Arnold in the social media post.

“Drive safe this winter and keep your eyes on the ditches,” he added in the video.

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