Why no fences along the 40?

“As is the case during fatal accidents on its network. However, the ministry will analyze the causes of the accident and will assess if there are measures that can be added,” said Roxanne Pellerin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport.

The ministry had already considered the option of closets rolled up in 2019, after another deadly collision involving an moose. Moreover, At the time, he had rather chosen to set up flashing panels. Similarly,

“The ministry wants to resume its analysis, but it is really in order to validate the possibility and the feasibility of implanting other measures in addition to the panels, in particular fences.”

— Roxanne Pellerin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport

The installation of fences must be accompanied by the development of wildlife passages. Moreover, Otherwise, the moose will simply follow the fence until it reaches its end. Meanwhile, He will then cross, which increases the risk of accident at this location. Furthermore,

This phenomenon is known as “end effect”. Therefore, It is therefore necessary that a passage is provided, for example under the highway, so that the animal crosses.

It seems that the feasibility of such why no fences along 40? a project is particularly complicated along the highway 40. Furthermore,

“The current configuration of highway 40 in this sector makes the development of wildlife passages very complex. However, In particular, there is the presence of entries and highway exits. Meanwhile, The structures in place do not include the required space at present to set up wildlife passages adequately, ”explains Ms. However, Pellerin.

“It would be necessary to enhance the highway in a considerable way and over a long distance so that large moose can circulate there.”

— Roxanne Pellerin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport

The topography of the sector does not help either. For example, “The sector is mainly made up of peat bogs, so they are low -capacity soils. Furthermore, It greatly complicates the situation, “added the spokesperson.

Why no fences along 40?

Highway 40: a risk sector

It is not yesterday that this area is known for its high presence of moose. Therefore, The Ministry of Transport analyzed the results of road accidents involving the large fauna, which covers the period from 2013 to 2017.

According to this study that The Nouvelliste obtained as a result of a request for access to information. Moreover, three sections of Highway 40, totaling 15 kilometers, are even in the top 6 of road sections with the why no fences along 40? greatest number of accidents involving a moose in Quebec. Meanwhile,

The segment located between kilometers 208 to 213 approximately. Meanwhile, up to Saint-Maurice, even arrives in second position with a rate of three accidents per kilometer, for a total of 15. Therefore,

It was only preceded by road 175 (km 111 at km 116), located in the Laurentides wildlife reserve. Consequently, But in 2024, the ministry announced that this portion of Route 175 was also going to be closed [km 110 à 128]. Over the years, approximately 102 kilometers of fences have been set up along Route 175 as well as 11 wildlife passages.

Ex æquo with two other roads, kilometers 218 to 223 in Champlain rank in fifth position, with 2.2 accidents per kilometer, while the section at the height of Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes is in sixth position, with two collisions per kilometer.

It was not possible to know before writing these lines if the Ministry of Transport has in hand a more recent study. if the position of Highway 40 in this ranking has changed since 2017.

Sixty-two collisions in ten years

In ten years, between 2014 to 2023, the Ministry of Transport has identified 72 accidents involving a moose between the exit of the meadows, in Trois-Rivières, and Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade.

The vast majority only caused material damage (51). but there is also a fatal accident, three with seriously injured and 17 with light injuries.

Their number was raised in the first half of 2024. Between January and June, eight accidents were listed – a figure greater than the total balance sheet of certain years.

The latest comparable assessment dates back to 2019, with 8 accidents over 12 months. Statistics for the rest of 2024 and the start of 2025 are not yet available.

Note, moreover, that given that the accidents involving the black bear and the caribou are rare, the Ministry of Transport has grouped them in the Moin category.

During the same period (2014 to 2023), there were also 136 collisions with deer in this sector, which made 10 light injured. For the first six months of 2024, four collisions only caused material damage.

Coroner recommendation

These statistics therefore do not include the fatal accident of June 15, 2025. Before this event, the last deadly collision involving a moose in this sector dates back to June 2019. A 76-year-old trifluvian had lost his life at kilometer 217 near Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes, in the eastern direction.

According to Coroner’s report Me Renée Leboeuf. the accident occurred in a wooded area where signs warning the possible presence of moose runs along the highway. The beast is suddenly out of the wood. Even if the victim slowed down, the impact was inevitable.

“According to the Quebec Sûreté survey report, [la victime] had no chance of avoiding the animal. ”

— Renée Leboeuf. Coroner

In its report published in June 2020, the Coroner recommended that the Ministry of Transport undertakes “the steps to put in place road accidents involving the large fauna in order to make the portion of motorway 40 secure between kilometers 210 and 220”.

The Ministry of Transport took this recommendation into account, assures Ms. Pellerin. “Following this report, various scenarios were analyzed. […] Due to the complexity of the rolled -up fences scenario. the analysis of accidents that occurred in the previous five years, the ministry had chosen the option of informing and raising awareness among users with the implementation of flashing panels. ”

They were installed at the end of autumn 2023 and activated in 2024: one in May and the other in August. One of the panels is at the 220 exit, in the west direction, why no fences along 40? and the second at exit 210, Eastern direction.

They flash during specific periods in spring and fall. In 2025, three periods were targeted: from March 1 to June 30 from 6 to 8 a.m.; From August 1 to 30 from 6 to 8 a.m. and from September 1 to November 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

When an animal or carcass is observed near the highway, the panels are activated manually for a period of 12 hours.

Why no fences along 40?

Nearly why no fences along 40? 170 wildlife passages in Quebec

If the Ministry of Transport has not installed rolled up fences along this section of Highway 40. it has opted for this measure in several other places in Quebec in recent years.

Nearly 170 wildlife passages were fitted out on the road network. including 80 specifically for large fauna, the ministry said in a press release this spring.

“User safety is a priority for the ministry. it pays particular attention to the places where the presence of fauna could cause accidents,” said this press release.

Effective fences

Quebec has more than 475 linear kilometers of rolled up closing. according to the website of the Ministry of Transport. They seem effective. According to a 2006 study, they made it possible to reduce the risk of collisions by 76 % on route 175, and 77 % on the 169.

“No accidents occurred in the closed sectors during this study. although they were considered at high risk before the erection of fences,” read it. According to more recent statistics, collisions with large fauna are actually decreasing on these roads.

However, the fences are not infallible. In some cases, moose still reached the road due to damaged fences, for example following the fall of a tree. Some animals why no fences along 40? have even managed to jump over it.

Moreover, in Center-du-Québec, new highest ruling fences will be installed as part of the enlargement of the highway 55. In this place, it is above all the presence of deer which causes collisions.

In addition. according to another study, the presence of fences can lead the moose to modify their trips thus creating new areas at risk.

Your car against an obstacle of 1000 pounds

Between 2021 and 2023, it occurred on average each year 7330 accidents involving the large fauna in Quebec, including 6741 why no fences along 40? with a deer and 589 with a moose, a caribou or a bear.

If accidents with a moose are fewer, they are more likely to cause serious injuries or even cause death.

“An adult moose can weigh over 1000 pounds,” said André Durocher, director of road safety at CAA-Québec.

“If you hit a moose, it can unfortunately crush your vehicle with its weight, and you risk dying of course.”

— André Durocher. director of road safety at CAA-Québec

He saw 53 -foot truck engines being destroyed following a collision with an moose.

When the shock is inevitable, Mr. Durocher advises trying to hit the ends of the animal.

“Avoid direct collision at all costs. If you hit it on the side why no fences along 40? of the head. back rather than full center, it can make a difference. ”

Aurora and twilight, particularly in spring and fall, are more problematic periods.

Regarding the closets of rolled up, Mr. Durocher notes that the ministry cannot “close to the greatness of the Quebec territory”. but he believes that it can be worth the penalty in very high risk places.

Driver’s vigilance is essential, he underlines. “The Ministry of Transport has put panels in several places. Do not ignore them. “