Almost 4 in 10 Australians have had a wildlife near miss on the road

By AI, Created 9:51 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – New Youi research finds wildlife encounters are a weekly reality for many Australian drivers, with 29% reporting an animal-related crash or damage and 37% saying they have had a near miss. The survey also shows big gaps in driver preparedness and insurance awareness, especially in wildlife-heavy states.

Why it matters: - Wildlife collisions are a real road-safety and insurance issue across Australia, not just an outback problem. - Youi’s survey suggests many drivers are regularly exposed to risk, but fewer are planning ahead or understanding what their insurance may cover. - The findings point to potential damage, injury risk and higher repair costs for drivers in wildlife-prone areas.

What happened: - Youi surveyed Australians and found 39% encounter wildlife while driving at least weekly. - Nearly 1 in 3 Australians, or 29%, say they have had an incident with an animal on the road that caused minor or significant vehicle damage. - Nearly 4 in 10, or 37%, say they have had a near miss with wildlife on the road. - The survey was released in Brisbane on May 7, 2026.

The details: - Almost half of Australians, 47%, say they feel confident they would know what to do if an animal appeared on the road based on experience or education. - Men report more confidence than women, 53% versus 40%. - If they saw an animal on the road, 82% say they would reduce speed. - Another 69% say they would stay alert, and 47% say they would brake or pull over. - Eighteen percent say they would swerve. - Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Leisure, Marni Jackson, said drivers should stay alert, obey speed limits and observe wildlife slow zones in wildlife-prone areas and at dawn or dusk. - Jackson said drivers should never swerve if an animal appears on the road, because that can send the vehicle into oncoming traffic or into a fence or tree. - Jackson said slowing down on poorly lit roads and using a horn or headlights can be safer ways to encourage wildlife off the road. - Queenslanders encounter wildlife on the road most frequently, at 47%, followed by Western Australians at 39% and Victorians at 36%. - Queenslanders also report collisions at 28% and near misses at 40%. - Western Australians and Victorians each report collisions at 37% and near misses at 41%. - New South Wales residents report collisions at 28%, and Victorians report collisions at 27%. - Kangaroos and wallabies are the animals Australians worry about most, named by 88% of respondents. - Livestock ranks next at 36%, followed by domesticated animals, koalas and wombats at 33%. - Kangaroos and wallabies remain top-of-mind across all states, usually cited by around nine in 10 respondents. - Queenslanders are more likely to watch for koalas, at 46%. - New South Wales residents are more likely to watch for wombats, at 41%. - Victorians are more likely to watch for deer, at 31%. - Western Australians are more likely to watch for emus or cassowaries, at 28%. - Among Australians who have made a claim, 30% say they could have hit at least two possible animals. - Seventy-seven percent say they slow down and become more cautious in wildlife-prone areas. - Only 37% plan trips to avoid higher-risk locations or times. - Twenty percent install vehicle modifications such as bull bars or lights. - Twenty-nine percent ensure they have adequate insurance or roadside assistance. - Australians believe more animals are on the road because of increased rural traffic, cited by 43%, and seasonal changes, cited by 32%. - Sixty-one percent say driver inattention is a major cause of wildlife collisions. - Forty percent say driving at unsafe times like night, dawn or dusk is a major cause. - Fifty-seven percent say high-speed roads through wildlife habitats are a major cause. - Forty-five percent point to a lack of wildlife fencing or crossings. - Thirty percent cite signage. - Baby Boomers are more likely to blame driver behavior, including inattention at 66% and unsafe driving times at 58%. - Gen Z respondents are more likely to point to lack of wildlife fencing at 53% and high-speed roads through wildlife habitat at 52%. - Only 33% of Australians say they know their insurance may cover wildlife collisions. - Almost half, 46%, are unsure what they are covered for. - Forty percent of men know they may be covered for wildlife collisions, compared with 26% of women. - Half of Queenslanders, 50%, are unsure of their coverage, the highest share among the states. - An estimated 10 million native animals are killed each year, according to the release. - References are available upon request.

Between the lines: - The survey suggests a mismatch between experience and preparation: many drivers have already faced wildlife risk, but fewer have taken steps such as route planning or insurance checks. - The state-by-state differences show that wildlife safety is not a single national problem. Local habitats and road conditions shape what drivers fear most and where they are most exposed. - Insurance awareness looks like a weak spot, especially in Queensland, where wildlife encounters are common and uncertainty about coverage is highest.

What’s next: - Drivers in wildlife-prone areas are being urged to plan routes, slow down at dawn and dusk, and avoid swerving if an animal appears. - The findings may push more attention toward roadside warnings, wildlife crossings, fencing and driver education. - Australians who rely on their vehicle should check whether wildlife collisions are covered before they need to make a claim.

The bottom line: - Wildlife collisions are common enough in Australia that safer driving habits and insurance checks are becoming part of everyday road planning.