Safety officials warn this is the peak time of year when the number of collisions with moose, deer and bears on B.C. highways increases dramatically, and they're urging drivers to exercise caution.

Gayle Hesse of the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program says the number of wildlife crashes doubles and can even triple in October and November as the days get shorter.

She notes several British Columbians are killed each year and hundreds more are injured when their vehicles hit wild animals.

About 19,000 of the big animals are also killed each year on B.C. highways and roads, which Hesse calls a tragic twist on people's love affair with wild animals.
 
"People want to see animals beside the road, and yet they don't want to see dead animals beside the road," she said.

She urges drivers to slow down, especially at this time of year, and stay alert for wildlife, even on long, straight stretches of road.