Concerned citizens are calling on the New Brunswick government to fulfill a campaign promise to extend moose fencing along rural highways.

Moose, the largest member of the deer family, causes approximately 250 collisions a year on New Brunswick highways.

After signs were put up and warnings issued for drivers to slow down, the N.B. government decided to erect fencing along its highways to keep the moose off the roads.

The Liberal government campaigned last year to vastly expand the barriers in the hopes of winning more votes, but have failed to begin erecting any new fences.

Some residents have started a petition to pressure the construction to begin.

The fencing costs approximately $70,000 a kilometre. Critics of the plan argue despite the fencing, moose will find gaps and continue to be a hazard to motorists.

The proposed fencing will stretch from Highway 8 in Miramichi north to Bartibog, stretch along Highway 11 from Allardville to Bathurst and between Petit Rocher and Belledune.

The new barrier will connect with a five-kilometre electric fence built six years ago near Belledune.

Male moose usually weigh approximately 540 to 720 kg and stand at almost two metres. A moose's enormous body coupled with its spindle-thin legs makes it particularly dangerous to motorists.

Moose are generally much larger than vehicles on the highway. When a collision occurs, the animal's thin legs are usually broken upon impact.

Fatalities normally occur when the massive body of the moose rolls onto the hood, roof, or crashes through the windshield.

To avoid a collision, safety experts recommend:

• Slow down if an animal appears on the side of the road
• If warning signs are present, use eye-lead time and take extra care.
• Use your high-beams when no traffic is approaching
• Animals on the side of the road may bolt suddenly. Approach with caution and put on your four-way flashers to alert other drivers.
• If an animal is in your path, brake firmly but do not swerve your vehicle to avoid a collision.

Crashes involving vehicles and moose have increased steadily across New Brunswick since 2002, despite a safety campaign launched by the provincial government warning drivers to slow down.

Most accidents in the province occur between May and September, usually at either dusk or dawn when visibility is low.

With a report from CTV Atlantic's John Vennavally-Rao