Summertime is here, which means warm weather, time spent outdoors, and.... black bears on the highway.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has issued a warning for motorists to be on the lookout for black bears on scenic byways. In Tennessee, there are between 5,000-6,000 black bears, with the majority in East Tennessee.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, there are some guidelines that can help drivers minimize dangerous bear encounters:
- Never feed or approach bears
- When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle and away from tents and dispose of food waste in the proper receptacles
- If you see a black bear from a distance, alter your route of travel, return the way you came, or wait until it leaves the area
- Make your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear to scare it away
- If approached by a bear, stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell, and throw rocks or sticks until they leave the area
- Never run from a black bear. This will often trigger its instinct to chase
- If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively and do not play dead
- Use pepper spray, sticks, rocks, or anything you can find to defend yourself. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, “pop” their jaws, or “huff” as a warning
- If you see these behaviors, you are too close. Slowly back away while always facing the bear
Owner-operators: make sure you're staying vigilant as the temperatures rise and wildlife starts to get more active. Being alert and cautious can help ensure a safe journey for everyone on the road.