Opinion (Rogério COPETO / Official GNR) BOAR: BAD FOR AGRICULTURE, WORST FOR ROAD SAFETY.


It was published in news editing 10 July's I, with the title "Prague? Wild boar scare populations north of the south of Portugal", which led to the drafting of this Article, however giving prominence to the problem that the boars are for road safety, subject that had already been approached by LUSA last month, in the article "Prague boars in Portugal. Hunters and veterinarians warn of accidents and diseases".

Rogério COPETO

Lieutenant Colonel of the GNR

Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor

Head of the Education Division / Command Doctrine and Training

In the article published here on Lidador News on 21 July 2015, entitled "road accidents involving animals", we had the opportunity to address the issue of road accidents caused by animals, which was based on a study called "road accidents involving animals: Analysis of the accidents in 2013 na área da GNR"Published in 2014, in issue No. 45 the Magazine "Parks and Wildlife", It is having already been concluded at that time that the wild boar was among the wild animals who caused more accidents, considering so, be a more serious problem, than the damage caused to agricultural crops, motivated by the increase in wild boar populations throughout the national territory.

The article I realize the increase in wild boar populations across the country resulting in the destruction of private property, are crops or gardens, even causing damage in vehicles, due to collisions with these animals, and that according to witnesses "This happens every day", having a driver residing in the municipality of Arraiolos, District of Évora, said collided with a group of boars, It is of taking-followed, and despite not having suffered injuries, He got his damaged car, verifying that the accidents caused by wild boars occur a little everywhere, Article referring other occurrence in Castle county Vide, in Portalegre district.

Quercus confirms the increase in the wild boar population throughout the national territory, can not, however, speak in Prague, and that this increase has its origin the "increase in population in Spain, agricultural abandonment and expansion of forest areas". This problem is aggravated due to the type of vegetation in the Portuguese forest, with great preponderance for eucalyptus and pine, and do not provide food for boar, so together with the lack of predators, such as the wolf, It leads to an imbalance of its ecosystem, causing the boar seek power among settlements, where there are crops, which ultimately destroy, It is the case of the Arrábida boars in Setúbal district, One example, where you can catch sight of wild boars, even in the daytime, on the beaches of that area.

The study produced in the GNR 2014, examined 1.799 road accidents caused by animals, in 2013, in their area of ​​responsibility, with a result of these accidents, significant damage in their vehicles, 77 minor injuries, 3 serious injuries and fortunately no fatality, beyond death about 2.000 domestic and wild animals, with about half of the dead animals were dogs, also where the wild animals are found in large numbers, mostly boars, foxes and deer.

Analysis of the data it is apparent that the wild boar was the wild animal that caused the most serious accidents, where almost always result wounded, It is the Setúbal district, Castelo Branco and Evora, the districts most likely to meet wild boars on the road, with over half of all accidents caused by wild boars.

The study also aimed to determine which time of the day where there is greater likelihood of accidents with animals, it was concluded to be the period between 18.00 and 24.00, to be the time of day when there is an increase in road traffic, also it is at that time the animals are most active, I especially wild, for reasons less clarity, which also reduces the visibility of drivers, having to result to occur almost half of accidents.

It concluded also that the national highways and main roads are where occur two thirds of accidents caused by animals, and that not all districts have these results, districts where there is on motorways, that occurred most accidents, By having a larger network such pathways, such as the districts of Lisbon, Porto and Braga, can this data be influenced by the fact that GNR not have jurisdiction within the cities and therefore are not accounted for accidents occurring within the same.

Also it concluded that the month of January was what registered the highest number of accidents, but the difference is not significant for the other months, verifying the same with the weekdays, It is the 6th Monday the day with more accidents.

At this point matter to make known what are the consequences for pet owners who let them roam the roads endangering traffic, and therefore may incur an administrative offense punishable with a fine provided for in paragraph 6 of article 97 of the Road € 30 to € 150 Code, without prejudice to any practice of pet abandonment crime, in the case to prove intentional abandonment.

In what concerns the animals held for cattle raising its owner must ensure their safety and to ensure that these do not cause injury to persons, and other goods or animals, may incur an administrative offense punishable by a fine whose minimum is € 1,250 or € 3,750 and a maximum of € 3,740 or € 44,890, depending on the agent is natural or legal person.

In addition to the payment of the fines referred to the owners of animals that cause road accidents are also responsible to pay damages and costs of hospital or if they have injuries result in the intervening.

In the case of wild animals, such as wild boar, there is no penalty, because the animals are not owned by anyone, with the aggravating circumstance of the automobile guarantee fund can only be triggered, for accidents caused by land motor vehicles and their trailers, normally based in Portugal, so it is convenient drivers circulate with redoubled caution, slowing, the locations and times indicated above, and are more likely to find an animal on the road, should also comply with the indicator signaling danger of crossing animals, domestic or wild.

And when you encounter an animal on the road should avoid honking or make light signals, why or scare the animal or linked together, make sudden shifts (twists) which may cause the vehicle to screening, slow down gradually until you can get around the animal safely and if you can not avoid clash, at the time of the clash not post or deviate, as with brake, the front of the car and low if it is a large animal can be designed for glass windshields. And whenever sighting an animal on the road should immediately report this to the GNR, even if the animal is found by the roadside, to be collected, should have the same procedure every time you find a dead animal on the road, to be taken from the same.

For the aforementioned, we are of the opinion that the study by the GNR in 2014 on road accidents caused by animals must be updated and its findings be disseminated to all entities with responsibilities on the subject, in order to be taken preventive measures of the phenomenon.

Writing note: Our collaborator and friend Lt. Col. Rogério Copeto will enjoy a well deserved holiday, returning to our / your contact August. GOOD VACATION:


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