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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussie drivers warned as costly new road trend leads to panel beater backlog
Panel beaters in the nation's capital say they're struggling to keep up with demand amid a rise in collisions with wild animals, as drivers are being warned to be vigilant on the road as populations of certain species "explode" in numbers. Numerous reports have emerged in recent times of drivers around the country colliding with animals, causing issues for both vehicles and the panel beaters tasked with repairing them. Deer, an introduced environmental pest, continue to be a growing problem, with their expansion now spilling into urban areas, seeing them regularly wander onto train tracks and other transport thoroughfares. Kangaroos are another threat to safety, with the animals known for jumping out onto roads as they spread in search of food. With reserves "drying off", kangaroos are increasingly moving to roadsides "to get access to green feed", conservationists say. In Canberra, these incidents are becoming more and more common, and vehicle repairers warn that even if a driver avoids hitting an animal directly, there are still several risks. "They miss the animal but then they hit the tree, or the guardrail or another car," Alison Hickey, of Barrett Brothers Smash Repairs, told WIN News Canberra. She said people often don't realise there's damage to their cars because it may not be immediately visible at first glance. "There's nothing leaking out the bottom, but the fan is hitting on the radiator, and there are broken bits everywhere," she said. Repairs are costing drivers several thousand dollars, leaving many without vehicles for up to a month, while creating a backlog among panel beaters. Data from ACT Parks and Conservation reveal there have been 650 callouts to crashes involving eastern grey kangaroos this year alone, WIN reported. Official ACT data shows that by the end of 2024, there were 3,545 callouts for the year, while in 2023 there were 3,336. There have been nine wombat collisions in the territory this year, a significant decrease from the 2024 year total of 179, although deer collisions continue to rise. Just last week, dashcam footage captured the shocking moment two drivers almost collided with a deer darting across a road in Canberra. The video, filmed "in the middle" of the road, shows the large animal suddenly appearing on a grass median strip. It bolted across two lanes of traffic, just metres in front of startled motorists. Days later, another deer was spotted on train tracks in Eastwood, in Sydney's northwest. Meanwhile, in South Australia, there have been more than 2,100 insurance claims for accidents involving a kangaroo in the last year. The stark figure marks a 44 per cent increase compared to two years earlier, with the state's recent dry weather conditions believed to be driving the animals closer to roads in search of food. Recent photos emerging online show dozens of kangaroos on the road in country SA, reflecting the scale of the issue in the outback. Royal Automobile Association (RAA) Senior Manager of Road Safety, Charles Mountain, warned drivers that kangaroos are notoriously unpredictable, meaning motorists should remain on high alert when travelling through their known habitat. 🥬 Despair as invasive species destroys $50k worth of produce in days 🚙 Aussies warned of $96 million threat spilling onto our roads 🏡 Aussie homeowners face 'avalanche' of destructive invasive species "There is a clear trend that kangaroo collisions are increasing across the state as more animals come towards busy roads in search of food. Kangaroos in particular are unpredictable creatures that can seemingly come out of nowhere and pose a significant safety risk," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
France 24
04-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Scott Barrett says All Blacks not 'disrespected' by France
Speaking at the end of a team training at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, Barrett said his team would not take lightly a French team lacking experience. "We're certainly not reading into anything, that it's a weakened French side," Barrett told reporters. "Any French side you have to give the utmost respect, and we've certainly prepared like that. "We haven't had much success in recent years against the French so we're looking to turn that around." The French squad contains 20 uncapped players total, out of 42 tourists. Many of the best French players were left at home, owing to injury or the long European season. "I don't think it's disrespectful," Barrett said of the team French coach Fabien Galthie had selected. "Fabien and their management will select a team that's appropriate to play us tomorrow night, and with debutants and a mix of experience on the bench I'm sure they'll be firing everything at us." All Blacks coach Scott Robertson echoed those sentiments Thursday, saying France had enviable depth. "This is when they're probably at their most dangerous when they're underestimated," Robertson said. "It's quite nice that you guys tell the story that they're depleted and all that, then they get their backs up and we get a ferocious French team." The All Blacks will be able to lean on the experience of three Barrett brothers on Saturday night -- captain Scott, fly-half Beauden, and inside centre Jordie have more than 280-caps combined for New Zealand. But add in uncapped flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi, and you have four players who worked the Barrett family farm. "Du'Plessis was good friends with Jordie at school and he came out to the farm," Scott Barrett said. "We were doing home kill one day and he mucked in and helped out... so it's great to see him get his opportunity tomorrow night. "I actually said personally to Du'Plessis that he's certainly ready for Test match rugby. "He plays a physical game, combative, loves the breakdown, so he's going to be a real asset to this team going forward." And speaking of his brother Jordie, who has just returned from a sabbatical playing for Leinster, Scott Barrett said he has added to his skill set during his time away. "It's been a great experience for him. He's brought a few things back which is great for this group and I'm sure he'll be looking to put a great performance in." © 2025 AFP
