Interactive Map Reveals Real-Time Moose Crash Locations Across Maine
Everyone, knows someone, who's hit a moose.
Or, it's you. Sometimes you're that someone. Luckily for me, I've never hit a moose. I've nudged a couple deer in my day, but never a moose. But sadly, I knew a person who was actually killed in a moose crash. More sad, was that he was one of the sweetest, most selfless people anyone knew. So terrible.
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When people do hit a moose, you'd almost assume it would be common knowledge. Not because it never happens, but because if someone hits a moose in one area, it could easily happen again. But it turns out, people hit them all the time. Repeatedly, in some areas. So where can we find that info?
Moose crash info for Maine actually exists online.
A lot of folks may find it useful to know that the kind of data we're talking about is readily available at the State's website. It's part of what's called the Maine Public Crash Query tool. All you have to do is input a small amount of information, mostly centering around what area you want info for.
Once you do that, it will bring up a map that will have pins dropped on it, indicating areas where there've been crashes involving moose and vehicles. You can look back by year, or you can just look at the current year. But it certainly presents quite a vivid glimpse into where crashes are happening the most.
Where are some of the hot spots?
Obviously, the further north you go, the greater the chance that you could come across a moose. Given their size, it's not a happy prospect at all. Sure, there are lots of folks who might like to view a moose in the wild, who wouldn't? But when you roll up on a 1,500 pound bull moose at 80mph, it's not going to go well.
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Moose are certainly more active during breeding times, and the annual rut is in full-swing. So you should definitely be paying even more attention than usual, keeping your eyes out for moose on the roads. But at least now you can be armed with some data about where the hot spots are. Good luck out there!
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