Squirrel distracts motorcyclist, causing crash in Upper Austria

A squirrel crossing the road distracted a 19-year-old motorcyclist, who crashed into a ditch near Waldhausen in the Perg district, ORF reports.

The rider was travelling on the L1436 towards the B3 at about 5.20pm when the squirrel crossed the road on a left-hand bend, police said. He left the road and fell into a roadside ditch.

A passing motorist spotted the crash and called for help. The injured rider was flown by rescue helicopter to Amstetten hospital. The extent of his injuries was not known.

The Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club (ÖAMTC) has warned that the risk of collisions with wildlife on Upper Austrian roads rises in autumn. It recorded 69 accidents involving wildlife in the state last year.

The ÖAMTC says many serious crashes happen when drivers try to swerve around an animal. Roland Frisch, from the club’s driver training division, advises drivers to stay in their lane and brake hard if a collision cannot be avoided. Swerving can endanger other road users.

On roads with wildlife warning signs, the ÖAMTC recommends slowing down, being ready to brake and leaving more distance from the vehicle ahead. If animals are spotted by the roadside, drivers should dip their headlights and sound their horn, as animals often travel in groups. Traffic rules prohibit braking sharply without cause, but an emergency stop is justified for larger animals such as deer.