Kangaroos and wildlife on Queensland roads at night

When and where are kangaroos most likely on the road?

The Queensland Government says kangaroos mostly feed at dawn and dusk, though they are also active during the day.^[1] Kangaroos and wallabies are often drawn to roadsides, and domestic animals and livestock can stray onto the road too.^[2] Its advice for long trips adds that sunrise and sunset can also limit your view of the road.^[3]

That makes the risky times the ones many people drive: an early start to beat the traffic, or the trip home from a day out as the light goes. In South East Queensland, you're most likely to meet kangaroos and wallabies on roads through bushland, farmland and the edges of towns, such as the drives up to the hinterland or out to the Scenic Rim and the Darling Downs.

Look for the yellow wildlife signs and for places where animals have been hit. The government's advice is to slow down in those areas, particularly at night, so you have more time to react.^[1] Heed the signs and keep scanning ahead.^[2]

How should I drive where there are kangaroos?

• Slow down. Speed is the one thing you control. A lower speed shortens the distance you need to stop.
• Use your high beam on dark roads, and switch it off when another vehicle is closer than 200 m, whether you're following it or it's coming towards you. You can be fined for using high beam incorrectly.^[4]
• Scan the verges, not just the road. Eyes reflecting in the headlights are often the first sign. Where you see one animal, expect more.
• Warn the animal. The government's long-trip advice is to slow down, flash your lights and beep your horn to alert it.^[3]
• Give livestock time. For cattle and sheep, slow down or stop until the animal has moved off the road.^[3]
• Plan around dusk. On a day trip, leave a little earlier so the last hour on unlit country roads is in daylight.

Tiredness makes all of this harder, because your reactions slow down. Our guide to long drives and fatigue covers planning breaks.

What if a kangaroo jumps out in front of me?

The Queensland Government's guidance on sharing the road with animals says to assess the situation and take action that avoids or prevents risk to you and other road users. Brake in a controlled manner. You may stop, or drive on the shoulder, to avoid an animal, and if you have a clear view of oncoming traffic and it's safe, you may cross to the right of the centre line or over a painted island, as long as you don't unreasonably obstruct anyone or create a hazard.^[2]

Two limits sit around that: any evasive action must be necessary and reasonable, and sometimes the safest option is to keep your position.^[2] A sudden swerve at speed into oncoming traffic, a tree or a ditch can be far worse than hitting the animal. Brake firmly but in a controlled way, keep the car straight, and stay in your lane if there's no safe space to move into.

I've hit a kangaroo: what do I do now?

1. Get yourself safe first. Pull off the road where you can, put the hazard lights on, and only get out on the side away from traffic if it's safe.
2. If anyone is hurt, or the car is blocking the road, call 000.
3. Don't approach the animal. Injured or sick kangaroos and wallabies can become defensive and may be dangerous; contact a trained wildlife rehabilitator instead.^[1]
4. Call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625). The Queensland Government directs calls about injured or orphaned wild animals to this RSPCA line, open from 7am to 7pm. Operators give advice, and may send a licensed carer or wildlife ambulance. After hours, the RSPCA website lists the closest wildlife rescue organisation.^[5]
5. Note exactly where it happened, so the animal can be found, and returned there after treatment.^[5]
6. Then call us on 0414 427 760 with what happened and where the car is.

Report it even if the animal ran off. The Queensland Government's road guidance is to call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL and report it if you hit an animal or see one in danger or distress.^[2] Anyone who takes in sick, injured or orphaned wildlife must hand it to a licensed carer or vet within 72 hours, so don't put an injured animal in the car to look after it yourself.^[5]

Is the car safe to drive after hitting an animal?

Don't assume so, even if it drives. A collision can crack a radiator, bend a wheel or damage a light without anything obvious from the driver's seat.

• Walk around the car with your phone torch and photograph the front, the bumper, the lights, the bonnet and the windscreen.
• Look underneath for anything dripping, and for anything caught in the grille or wheels.
• Check the dashboard for warning lights once you restart. If one comes on, stop and see a warning light came on in your rental car.
• Make sure your headlights both still work before driving on at night.

Clause 9.1 of our terms asks you to report any damage immediately; failing to report an incident is one of the clause 9.3 cases where the excess limit no longer applies. Call us before driving far, and don't arrange a tow or a repair yourself: clause 8.2 says to call us first. A crash involving another vehicle is covered in what to do after an accident in a rental car.

Dashcam footage of the moment can help explain what happened. Our guide to dashcam rules in Queensland covers fitting one to a rental car.

Planning a country drive in a rental car

Our terms also shape where you can go after dark: clause 7.2 rules out unsealed roads (unless reasonable for access), beaches and off-road driving, and leaving Queensland without written consent. Stick to sealed roads, check the route before you set off, and keep the drive home inside daylight where you can.

In summer, the long evenings help, but heat brings its own load on the car and the driver: see driving in Brisbane's summer heat.