Wildlife strikes are one of the most common serious incidents on Australian rural and outback roads, and towing changes the physics of what happens if one occurs. A rig that's hard to stop quickly, and can be pulled sideways by a sudden swerve, needs a different approach to animal risk than a solo car does.
When and where the risk is highest
Dawn, dusk and the couple of hours either side are when kangaroos and other wildlife are most active near roads — genuinely higher risk than the middle of the day or well into the night. Roads bordered by bush or farmland, and anywhere with "livestock" or "wildlife" warning signs, deserve extra caution. In cattle and camel country (much of outback Qld, NT and WA), unfenced roads mean stock can be on the bitumen at any time, day or night.
Reducing the risk while towing
- Avoid driving at dawn and dusk on rural or outback roads if you can plan around it — this alone cuts risk significantly
- Slow down in signed wildlife/livestock zones, even if the road looks clear
- Scan the verges, not just the road ahead — animals are usually visible before they move
- Keep following distance generous; a towing rig needs more room to react than a solo car
The critical rule: don't swerve hard
This is the single most important thing to get right. A hard swerve to avoid a kangaroo or emu, while towing, risks a far worse outcome than the strike itself — jack-knifing, rolling, or losing the trailer entirely. If a strike is unavoidable, braking firmly in a straight line and accepting the hit is, counterintuitively, usually the safer choice for everyone in the vehicle. This is genuinely hard to do in the moment — it helps to have decided it in advance.
After a strike
Pull over safely once you're clear of traffic and check the rig — a strike can damage a bumper, radiator or light without being obvious at a glance. If the animal is injured and it's safe to do so, contact a local wildlife rescue group (WIRES, or the state-based equivalent) — most areas have a number for exactly this. Don't approach an injured large animal (kangaroo, camel, cattle) yourself; they can be dangerous when frightened or hurt. If a joey is present in a deceased kangaroo's pouch, wildlife rescue groups specifically ask to be contacted for this.
Quick checklist
- Slow down in the last hour of daylight and first hour of dark on rural roads
- Brake straight, don't swerve, if a strike is unavoidable
- Pull over safely afterwards and check the rig before continuing
- Have your state wildlife rescue number saved before you need it
FAQ
Should I install a bull bar for wildlife strikes?
Many outback and rural travellers do, and it can reduce vehicle damage in a strike — but it changes your vehicle's GVM and crash structure, so it's worth getting professionally fitted and checking it doesn't push you over any weight limits.
What number do I call for an injured animal?
WIRES (NSW) or your state's wildlife rescue equivalent — save the number for the state you're travelling through before you head off, since coverage areas differ.
Sources
Reviewed 22 September 2026. Wildlife activity and road conditions vary by season and region — stay alert regardless of what's typical for the area.