Routes and Highway Advisories

Routes

Connection Information

Public highway transportation is available to and from ferry terminals. Passengers wishing to connect with other carriers should note that neither Marine Atlantic nor motor coach operators can accept responsibility for expenses incurred because of missed connections. Please note also that bus connections are only available for certain sailings. Customers are advised to check with the various carriers for latest schedule information.

DRL Coachlines
Phone: 1-888-263-1854
Provides service between Port aux Basques, N.L. and St. John's, N.L.

Acadian Lines
Phone: 1-800-567-5151
Provides service throughout the maritime provinces.

VIA Rail Canada
Phone: 1-888-VIA-RAIL

Newhook's Transportation Ltd.
Phone: 709-227-6552
709-628-4877
709-227-6677

Provides service between St. John's, N.L. and Argentia, N.L.

Highway Advisories

Current road construction on the Island of Newfoundland

Current road construction in the Province of Nova Scotia

Moose-Vehicle Awareness

Every year, moose-vehicle collisions occur on Newfoundland and Labrador's highways. Even in areas with very low moose density, moose are still attracted to roadways and can pose a hazard to drivers. Your attention is the critical factor in avoiding an accident.

Why Moose use Roadways
Most of Newfoundland and Labrador's highways run through good moose habitat. A driver can expect to encounter moose while traveling on any section of the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) or on any secondary roads.

Moose are attracted to roads, and use them to:

• feed on the vegetation along the roadside;
• gain relief from flies in the open windswept right-of-ways;
• travel roadways cleared of deep snow; or,
• move from one part of the habitat to another.

Accident Occurrences
Accidents are reported year round; more than 70% occur between May and October. The three most critical months are June, July, and August.

Most accidents occur between dusk and dawn, when visibility is severely limited by darkness, and when moose are most active. Accidents often occur on clear nights. To avoid an accident, when you drive, think Moose!

More accidents occur on certain sections of roadway known to be HIGH-RISK areas: these are marked with moose crossing warning signs. A road sign stating "Caution, moose next 11 kilometers" means moose are known to cross there frequently.

Prevention
Whistles, reflectors, and odour repellents to frighten big game from passing vehicles or keep them from roadsides have been tested in North America and Europe; so far, none have proven to be effective or economically feasible. Care and attention when driving remain your best defense against a moose-vehicle accident.

How to Avoid an Accident

• Slow down when driving at night to give you more time to respond to a moose on or near the highway.
• Scan both sides of the road ahead as far as possible, especially when you are in a posted high-risk accident zone.
• The best way to avoid an accident is to spot the moose well in advance. Drivers that have been involved in moose-vehicle collisions report that in most cases, they did not see the moose until immediately before impact.
• Moose on the right side of the vehicle are avoided more often than those on the left because drivers tend to concentrate more on the right side of the road. Therefore, it important to scan both sides of the road, and make sure passengers are also scanning for moose.
• Moose are unpredictable: the animal you see standing calmly at the edge of the road could bolt in front of your vehicle at the last moment. If you see a moose on the highway, slow down. Be sure the moose has either crossed the highway or gone back into the forest before resuming your drive.
• If you see a vehicle stopped on or near the highway, the driver may have spotted a moose, so be cautious.
• Don't let yourself be distracted. A driver who is alone and concentrating on the road is less likely to strike a moose than a driver whose attention wanders while talking to a passenger.
• Remember, most accidents occur on clear nights and on straight road sections, possibly because drivers are more cautious on curves or in poor weather.
• Keep your windshield and headlights clean.
• Drive with your headlights on high beam unless approaching, or overtaking, other traffic.
• Please remember, seatbelts are mandatory. Vehicle occupants who do not wear their seatbelts are eight times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a moose-vehicle collision.
• Use of hand-held cell phones while driving is illegal in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Seat belt use is mandatory in Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information about moose-vehicle awareness, please contact:
Wildlife Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/index.html