Pay or prevent? Human safety, costs to society and legal perspectives on animal-vehicle collisions in São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract

Direct road mortality and the barrier effect of roads are typically identified as one of the greatest threats to wildlife. In addition, collisions with large mammals are also a threat to human safety and represent an economic cost to society. We documented and explored the effects of animal-vehicle crashes on human safety in São Paulo State, Brazil. We estimated the costs of these crashes to society, and we summarized the legal perspectives. On average, the Military Highway Police of São Paulo reported 2,611 animal-vehicle crashes per year (3.3% of total crashes), and 18.5% of these resulted in human injuries or fatalities. The total annual cost to society was estimated at R$ 56,550,642 (US $ 25,144,794). The average cost for an animal-vehicle crash, regardless of whether human injuries and fatalities occurred, was R$ 21,656 (US $ 9,629). The Brazilian legal system overwhelmingly (91.7% of the cases) holds the road administrator liable for animal-vehicle collisions, both with wild and domestic species. On average, road administrators spent R$ 2,463,380 (US $ 1,005,051) per year compensating victims. The logical conclusion is that the Brazilian legal system expects road administrators to keep animals, both wild and domestic species, off the road. We suggest an improved coordination between the laws that relate to animal-vehicle collisions and human safety, and the process for environmental licenses that focusses on reducing collisions with wildlife and providing habitat connectivity. In addition, we suggest better management practices, raising awareness and social change with regard to abandoned domesticated animals including horses, cattle, and dogs. This should ultimately result in a road system with improved human safety, reduced unnatural mortality for both domestic and wild animal species, safe crossing opportunities for wildlife, and reduced monetary costs to society.

Extent, intensity and drivers of mammal defaunation: a continental-scale analysis across the Neotropics

“…Other anthropogenic disturbances also affect mammal guild structure and trophic organization (e.g., 10,[83][84][85]. Although accounting for only weak explanatory power (e.g., 6%; p = 0.04), high-intensity fire disturbance (> 200 hotpixels per 1-km grid cell) on average amplified the level of defaunation by ~ 10%.…”

Human-induced changes in habitat preference by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and their potential effect on zoonotic disease transmission

“…The proximity between wildlife and humans has been shown to lead to increase human wildlife conflicts, including zoonotic disease transfer [8]. Across human-modified landscapes, large groups of capybaras have been linked to increased crop damage [14] and vehicle collisions [15], as well as public health issues related to BSF spread [16].…”

“…Over some regions, large populations of capybaras are linked to increased crop damage [14], increased vehicle collisions [15], and the spread of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) - the most lethal spotted fever rickettsioses in the world [16]. Capybaras are responsible for maintaining and carrying large numbers of Amblyomma sculptum ticks, the natural reservoir and main vector of the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii , the etiological agent of BSF [16].…”

Habitat selection in natural and human-modified landscapes by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), an important host for Amblyomma sculptum ticks

“…Benefited by the great abundance of high-quality food resources from agricultural crops and reduced presence of large predators, capybara populations have recently experienced rapid growth in human-modified landscapes over the last few decades [12,18,19]. Over some regions, large populations of capybaras are linked to increased crop damage [20], increased vehicle collisions [21], and the spread of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF)-the most human-lethal spotted fever rickettsiosis in the world [10]. Capybaras are responsible for maintaining and carrying large numbers of Amblyomma sculptum ticks, the natural reservoir and main vector of the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiological agent of BSF [10].…”