The data is out, proving what many locals knew to be true: Inverell is one of the worst spots in NSW for animal crashes on our roads.
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The Sapphire City made the top five worst hot-spots, according to data released by insurance company AAMI, conducted over 2019 to the start of this year.
Dubbo topped the list for regional towns with the most animal collisions, followed by Goulbourn, Mudgee and Cooma, with Inverell completing the set.
It comes as no surprise to Inverell's Peter McLachlan, owner of McLachlan's Smash Repairs. He says the number of damage repairs they've undertaken from kangaroo accidents has almost doubled over the past three years.
"I'd say probably 70 to 80 percent of the work we have done over the past two to three years has been repairing damage from a kangaroo," he explained.
"That's not normal, it would usually be around 40 to 50 per cent of the repairs we see."
Despite less traffic travelling between towns because of COVID-19 restrictions, as the travel bans ease, NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) have urged road users not to get complacent.
Mr McLachlan agreed, said while the number of kangaroo-damaged cars coming through this month petered off, this week it has picked up again as people start to venture out.
Historically, from now until around August it is usually a busy time, but what we've seen these past few years isn't normal.
- Peter McLachlan
"Today has been busy quoting kangaroo damage," he said on Monday.
"Historically, from now until around August it is usually a busy time, but what we've seen these past few years isn't normal."
Analysis of more than 21,000 AAMI animal collision claims between the start of February last year and the end of January 2020 revealed Canberra as the country's most dangerous hotspot.
Almost one third of animal related accidents across the country took place on NSW roads, ranking the state the worst for these collisions, followed closely by Victoria.
Kristie Newton from WIRES said increased activity after the drought has lead to more numbers of animals crossing roads.
"The summer bushfires have wiped out an estimated one billion native animals, and the devastating loss of so much bush-land has left many displaced and vulnerable.
"As we head into winter, we may see increased activity particularly from nocturnal wildlife as they cross roads in search of food and water, which we saw after the drought, increasing the likelihood of them being hit," Ms Newton said.
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The data also revealed Friday was the worst day for major collisions, followed by the weekend, with 84 per cent of calls reporting a kangaroo hit.
AAMI's Head of Motor Claims Anna Cartwright warned drivers to be on the look-out for wildlife as we head into the danger period.
"Now is the time for drivers to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife crossing roads, and be extra vigilant especially at dawn and dusk when visibility can be difficult, and nocturnal animals are more active," Ms Cartwright said.
To report an injured animal, call Inverell's RSPCA on 0419 408 041, or call Northern Tablelands Wildlife carers group on 1800 008 290.
