According to Section 40 of the Hunting Ordinance, in the event of a collision between a motor vehicle and a bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx, moose, red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, otter, wild boar, mouflon sheep, or eagle, the driver must notify the police via 112, even if the animal does not appear to be injured. Failure to notify the police in the event of a collision is a punishable offense and subject to a fine.
The site of the collision must also be marked, preferably with a wildlife accident marking strip (viltolycksremsa). The strip should be placed near the animal or at the spot where it was last seen.
The animal you collided with may be lying dead on the scene or may have moved on, more or less injured. Injured or road-killed wildlife is handled by authorized search hunters (eftersöksjägare) commissioned by the police.
Action Steps Following a Collision
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Place a warning triangle to prevent further accidents.
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Always mark the accident site so that hunters with tracking dogs can find the location.
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Call 112 and report the accident.
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Even if the animal is lying dead at the scene, marking must be done to inform other motorists that the accident has been reported to the police.
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Hang the marking strip on the side of the road where the animal disappeared after the collision.
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For collisions with wild boar, bear, wolf, or lynx: Place the marking strip approximately 100 meters from the accident site for safety reasons. Inform the police of this placement.
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If possible, remove dead animals from the roadway, but always prioritize your own safety.
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Do not attempt to track the animal yourself; this can worsen the animal’s suffering.
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Do not attempt to euthanize an injured animal yourself unless you have the necessary knowledge and skills.
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If you have hit a dog, never attempt to euthanize it; let a veterinarian make that decision.
Information for the Police
When notifying the police, in addition to standard personal and vehicle details, you should provide:
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The location of the accident: Road number, town/area, and landmarks. It is recommended to use the SOS Alarm 112 app, which provides your exact GPS coordinates.
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How the site is marked: Marking strip, plastic bag, etc.
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Type of animal: Roe deer, moose, wild boar, etc.
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Number of animals: Whether the collision involved one or more animals.
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Flight path: The direction in which the animal disappeared.
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Detailed description: A GPS position or, if possible, reset the car’s trip meter and drive to a recognizable location (e.g., intersection, church, rest area) and note the distance. Incorrect location data is unfortunately very common and often leads to injured animals suffering for a long time.
Your information as a motorist is vital for search hunters to conduct an effective search and ensure that a severely injured animal does not suffer unnecessarily. Search hunters may need to contact you after the accident, so please remain reachable by phone.
Other Wildlife
For collisions with species other than those listed above, there is no formal legal obligation to report the accident to the police. If you collide with a smaller animal, you should ensure the animal is euthanized and, if possible, removed from the roadway—but as mentioned, always consider your own and others’ safety first.