There are pros and cons to changing the clock. The advantages are that we are now entering the warmer months again and the evenings are getting longer because it is longer light. The disadvantages are that this can upset people and nature. Due to the recent turn of the clock, there are more collisions with game. Because the clocks have been turned from winter time to summer time, it is even more careful for crossing wild boars, deer and roe deer. The animals have a biological clock and this is of course not changed, so the morning rush and evening rush hour is an hour earlier and that is just around the time that game moves.
Game mainly moves during twilight. According to Stichting Wildaanrijdingen Nederland, the animals need about two weeks to adapt their rhythm to our times. This means that we have to be extra alert this week for suddenly crossing game. If you have a collision with an animal that lives in the wild and therefore has no owner, there is no liable party that you can turn to for compensation. If you have full or limited comprehensive insurance, it is possible to submit your damage to your car insurance policy. Your policy conditions state whether you will be reimbursed for this type of damage.
If the animals live in a habitat that is owned by a manager, the manager may be liable. This, for example, if the animals escaped because there were faulty fences, cattle grids or fencing. If you have a collision with a wild animal, you must immediately call the police and indicate the location where you are, even if the animal has fled after the collision. You have to wait until the police or fauna manager is there and you are absolutely not allowed to drive after a collision with a wild animal. You are also not allowed to take hit game with you, this is punishable according to Wildlife Accidents Foundation in the Netherlands.
