Moose fences are reducing collisions

New information on moose fencing in New Brunswickshows the structures are working, according to numbers released by the province.

But some say more still needs to be done.

In 2003, there were 12 moose-vehicle collisions along Route 7. Thats where Cathy McCollum's daughter, Carrie,was in a vehicle-moose crashnine years ago.

It was late at night and it was raining hard.

"The police said it wasn't speed, but when they hit the moose, the car went off and cut the telephone pole in half, and then the car went into a marsh," McCollum told CBC News.

Carrie McCollum and two soldiers from CFB Gagetownsurvived the ordeal.That's whyher mothergathered a petitionwith over 10,000 signatures, hoping the government would put up the proper fencing.

Once the fence was installed along the stretch betweenSaint John and Fredericton in 2008, the number of collisions with moosewent from 12, down to just a couple per year.

But McCollum thinks more could still be done.

"I wish they would realize how important this is and how many lives it's saving, how much money it's saving for health care, insurance, and a life," she said.

Precautions taken by drivers can reduce the number of vehicle-moose collisions, according to RCMP Cpl. Chantal Farrah.

"Even if there are moose fences, sometimes moose or deer or other animals will find ways around that fence. There may be a break in the fence, or they may walk right up to the edge of the fence and come on the other side," Farah said.

"That's why it's important to always be vigilant, make sure you take your time, lower your speeds at all times, do proper scanning. When in doubt, brake, and have a look to make sure you dont hit an animal or object."

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says it has installed moose fence in most high-risk areas on New Brunswick highways.

But there are still more projects set to be completed by 2013.