If a kangaroo jumps out or is on the road the first step is to wash off as much speed as possible by braking in as straight a line as possible. If it's safe to do so try to gently steer or swerve, but only once you've slowed down; you're better off hitting a kangaroo than ending up off the road having a bigger crash.
In case a kangaroo inevitably jumps in front of your vehicle, it is best to just brake heavily instead of trying to swerve to avoid them. The best advice is to just slow down and try braking in a straight line. You should only try swerving once your vehicle has slowed down sufficiently.
Is hitting a kangaroo an 'at fault' accident? No, it is not considered an at fault accident.
If the animal has been injured during a road collision, keep yourself safe and ensure you are not in danger of being hit by traffic.” If able to do so safely, check if the roo is alive; if it is dead, then check its pouch. Call the relevant wildlife rescue service or police.
If you are attacked, drop to the ground and curl into a ball with your hands protecting your face and throat. Try to remain calm and still until the animal moves away, or if you can, keep low to the ground and move behind some form of cover.
In the wild, a kangaroo will try to grasp their prey and then tear into it with the claws on its feet. This will inflict devastating wounds on a human being or even disembowel them. Without weapons and armor, humans are fragile to these wild animals.
If you have hit a kangaroo or any other animal, the first thing to do is pull over if it is safe to stop on the road. Once you have pulled over and ensured the safety of everybody in the car (call 000 for medical help), the next step is to check on the animal to confirm whether it's alive or needs any assistance.
Report injured wildlife – call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your location.
Ordinarily, it is illegal to kill, buy, sell or possess a kangaroo in Australia. However, in response to the growing kangaroo population, the Australian government permits licence holders to 'cull' or shoot kangaroos.
“If you encounter an injured kangaroo, it's best to contact the local wildlife rescue organisation or police station who can talk you through what to do.” Once you're safe and able, contact your insurer if you need to make a claim, he says.
Raise your hands and lean your head away from the animal to minimize the chances of being scratched across the face by the kangaroo's nasty claws. Retreat, but do not turn your back and run. A kangaroo can easily chase you down, kicking as it hops.
A kangaroo collision can cause many different types of damage to your vehicle. These could be as relatively insignificant as a smashed headlight or cracked bumper, to a serious head-on collision that results in a crumpled-up bonnet and internal damage, potentially with your engine.
safe on the road. Kangaroos travel in large groups. Fast vehicles with headlights on will startle them, causing them to frantically hop in random directions. Kangaroos are most active at dusk and dawn, when they're hardest to see.
Break, don't swerve!
In fact, between 2001 to 2005, 42 per cent of animal-related fatal accidents in New South Wales were a product of drivers swerving to get out of the animal's way. Instead, try to brake, and ensure that you do so in a straight line consistent with the road*.
Kangaroos think big. They can jump 9 feet high in the air and leap more than 20 feet in one jump, right over a whole car.
Car insurance can cover hitting a kangaroo or other animal in Australia. It's considered an at-fault accident so you might lose your no claims bonus and you will probably have to pay an excess too. However, depending on the severity of the damage, it could be worth it.
Kangaroos are getting into the most trouble on the roads, with 7,992 kangaroo collision AAMI claims in the recorded year between March 2018 and February 2019. Roos made up a whopping 83% of all animal collisions. Wallabies were next with 392 collisions.
Kangaroo attacks in Australia are rare because kangaroos are usually docile; however, they can attack when provoked or cornered, and they have been known to kill dogs. Very occasionally they can attack even if not provoked.
Ian Temby, who spent 33 years with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, said kangaroo attacks are rare, but could be fatal in some circumstances. "If you're standing up, the kangaroo can kick you with its hind feet and that can pretty much rip you open," he said. "That's extremely dangerous."
As you accelerate, your car's engine is receiving a much higher dose of fuel than when at idle and conversely, when you let off the gas pedal, there is a sudden change in this fuel supply as a result of your foot letting off the pedal.
In fact, a red kangaroo can deliver an incredible 759 pounds of force with a single kick! As well as being able to inflict serious damage with their kicks, buff kangaroos have been known to crush metal with their bare hands, which is seriously impressive. They also have a punch force of about 275 pounds.
The sharp claws can cause serious eye injuries and flesh wounds. Be careful not to get kicked by the kangaroo. This can cause broken bones and seriously injur your organs. Give the kangaroo a chance to escape.
In a battle royale for Most Powerful Animal, a red kangaroo might take the martial-arts belt, thanks to a bone-shattering kick that delivers 759 pounds of force. Evolution has nudged wild creatures to hone their blows, bites, and brute strength for survival.