The advice from the Mossos d'Esquadra that will surprise many drivers: it's exactly the opposite of what they would do if an animal crossed their path.

One of the most tense situations a driver can experience is suddenly coming across an animal crossing the road . It can happen at any time, but it's more common at night, on poorly lit roads surrounded by forest. Although it may seem uncommon, approximately 5,000 accidents are reported in Spain each year due to this, with consequences ranging from property damage to serious injuries and even death.

These situations often catch drivers by surprise, giving them only seconds to react. The instinctive reaction is to brake sharply or try to avoid the animal, but in many cases these maneuvers can be more dangerous than the impact itself. Therefore, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) insist on clear and forceful advice: a controlled collision is better than an uncontrolled evasive maneuver.

In a message posted on social media, the Catalan police force states: "If an animal surprises you on the road, do not try to avoid it. A controlled collision is better than an uncontrolled evasive maneuver." They also insist on "reducing your speed, especially at night and on roads with poor visibility."

The Mossos d'Esquadra place special emphasis on this last point, since the speed of the vehicle multiplies the force of the impact, which increases the risk to the driver and passengers. "The speed of the vehicle multiplies the force of the impact and the actual weight of the animal struck," the officers explain. For example, an 80-kilo wild boar can behave as if it weighed several hundred at the time of the collision, depending on the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, they insist that speed control is key to reducing the consequences of the impact.

For this reason, a controlled collision at moderate speed can be much less dangerous than trying to avoid the animal. The latter maneuver often results in vehicles leaving the road, overturning, or colliding head-on with other vehicles, with potentially far more serious consequences for the driver and other occupants.

If an impact occurs, the Mossos d'Esquadra reminds us that the most important thing is to protect ourselves. "Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn on the hazard lights," they recommend. "Put on your reflective vest before getting out of the car and position yourself in a protected area, away from the road." Then, call 112 and wait for the emergency services to arrive. Under no circumstances should you try to move the animal or remain on the road. Acting calmly and following these steps can prevent a second accident.

Beyond wild animals, dogs are also responsible for a significant number of accidents. Between May and September alone, nearly 1,900 dogs were killed after being hit on Spanish roads, according to data from Royal Canin, the RACE (Spanish National Autonomous University of Madrid), and the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic). Seventy percent of these accidents occur on secondary or interurban roads, often due to avoidable carelessness. Among these, the Royal Canine Society highlights that a poorly closed door, a loose leash, or a distraction at a service area are among the most common causes that can endanger road safety.