AROUND 40,000 road accidents were caused last year by collisions between drivers and wild animals.

Wild boars are the main culprits, closely followed by deer.

Head of compensation at the Fonds de garantie automobile Michel Merlet warns people not to try and avoid an animal if it comes into their path.

He said: “Trying to avoid the animal means taking the risk of ending up with your car smashed up against a tree and killing yourself.”

Around 30 people are killed each year by road accidents involving wild animals.

Officials say the total number of accidents in 2008 could rise to 45,000 as people have until the end of June to record an incident.