Millions of drivers could be breaking Highway Code rules when travelling this winter as experts call on motorists to ensure they follow rules when on the road.
Industry experts have highlighted a serious gap in knowledge among many drivers about reporting a collision with an animal.
Research shows that almost half of all drivers are unaware that they need to contact the police if they are involved in a collision with a goat.
Two in five drivers are also unaware that there is a legal requirement to report an incident involving pigs, mules and donkeys.
The AA data shows that the majority of drivers (79 per cent) know that they need to report an accident involving a horse to the police.
Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 outlines that motorists must report any collision involving an animal as soon as possible, or within 24 hours.
The definition of the animal in the 1988 Act includes horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, sheep, pigs, goats and dogs.
Similarly, Rule 286 of the Highway Code states that drivers must stop in a collision which causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, animal or property.
Drivers are urged to follow the Highway Code when travelling in areas with lots of animals
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If a person, vehicle or property is involved, they are advised to give their name, address and registration number of the vehicle to anyone who may need them.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “All animals are created equal, until they are involved in a car crash. Then the law is very strict about what should and shouldn’t be reported.
“While there is often debate about what drivers should do to comply with the law, our affinity as a nation of animal lovers means nobody likes seeing roadkill on our streets.”
He said the data was clear in showing that drivers would consider reporting an accident to the police if it involved a wide range of animals.
The survey, which involved more than 13,000 drivers, found that drivers falsely believed that they needed to report an incident to the police if it involved badgers (19 per cent), beavers (15 per cent), llamas (44 per cent), red squirrels (10 per cent) and hedgehogs (six per cent).
Calls have been made in recent years to include other animals in the definition of the law, including cats, although this has been denied.
In 2022, the Government argued that the Road Traffic Act was based on animals being “working animals” rather than a domestic pet.
The petition was signed more than 102,000 times and was debated in Parliament at the start of 2023, with the Government acknowledging “how distressing it can be for someone to lose a pet, especially without knowing what has happened”.
The AA states that drivers should contact their local road authority if a vehicle collides with an animal not specified in the Act, especially if it has died or is on the road.
If a collision occurs with domestic pets, especially cats, local veterinary surgeries should be informed so owners can be informed.
Mr Rankin concluded, saying: “Contacting the authority responsible for maintaining the road if they see a dead animal on the road is the least people can do.
“Similarly, hitting domestic pets not outlined within the law should be reported so owners can be informed.”