A review of large animal vehicle accidents with special focus on Arabian camels

Shimemeri, Abdullah Al; Arabi, Yaseen · 2013 · Crossref

DOI: 10.5339/jemtac.2012.21

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Summary

This review article examines wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs), with a specific focus on the high morbidity and mortality associated with collisions involving large animals, particularly Arabian camels in Saudi Arabia. The authors address the growing public health and safety crisis caused by habitat fragmentation, where expanding road networks intersect with the natural habitats of large wildlife. While WVCs involving deer, moose, and kangaroos are documented globally, the paper highlights that camel-vehicle collisions in the Middle East have reached disturbing proportions due to the large population of domesticated camels and their proximity to highways. The study aims to characterize the mechanisms of injury, analyze the specific risks posed by camels, and evaluate mitigation strategies to reduce these accidents. The paper synthesizes existing literature and case reports to analyze collision dynamics. It compares the physical attributes of various large animals, noting that adult Arabian camels weigh up to 726 kg and have a high center of gravity, with their humps standing 2.1 meters above ground. The authors detail the biomechanics of collisions, explaining that because car hoods are typically lower than 1.2 meters, vehicles strike the camel’s slender limbs first, causing the animal’s massive weight to fall onto the windshield and roof. This axial load crushes the front-seat occupants. The review also incorporates data on injury patterns from Saudi Arabian hospitals and statistical reports on collision frequencies, such as the 341 documented WVCs in 1997 which resulted in 16 fatalities and 215 injuries. The findings indicate that camel-vehicle collisions result in severe trauma, including cervical and dorsal spinal fractures, head and chest injuries, and permanent neurological impairment. The fatality rate for these collisions is reported to be four to six times higher than for other types of traffic accidents. Injuries are exacerbated by occupants’ protective reflex movements, such as ducking or flexing the neck, which can lead to spinal fractures or carotid artery occlusion. The paper notes that over 90% of collisions occur between dusk and dawn due to poor visibility. Furthermore, the domestic nature of camels in Saudi Arabia, where owners often house animals near highways, significantly increases the likelihood of unsupervised camels wandering onto roads. The authors conclude that definitive action is required to mitigate this trend. They recommend a multi-faceted approach including infrastructure improvements such as highway fencing, wildlife over- and under-passes, and reflective warning signs combined with speed bumps. Visibility improvements and the use of reflectors on camels are suggested to aid early detection. Additionally, the paper advocates for legislative and educational measures, including public awareness campaigns, mandatory driver education on camel behavior, and punitive measures against owners who fail to supervise their animals. The authors emphasize that reducing speed limits in high-risk areas and enforcing traffic laws are critical components of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the socio-economic and human costs of these collisions.

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