Roos biggest road killers

SYDNEY - Kangaroos and wallabies are the biggest killers on New South Wales roads when it comes to animal-related car crashes, a new study has found.

More than 1700 people were injured and 22 were killed in road accidents involving wildlife, cattle and pets between 1996-2005.

About 5000 incidents in which drivers either hit or swerved to avoid animals were recorded in the state during the 10-year period.

The University of NSW study found kangaroos and wallabies were the most likely species to be involved in crashes resulting in human death or injury.

Straying stock, dogs and horses ranked in second place.

Wombats, emus, cats, rabbits and farmer-led stock also featured in the NSW accident database, analysed by Dr Daniel Ramp and doctoral student Erin Roger.

On average, the accidents resulted in two deaths a year.

However, Ramp said the actual road toll was likely to be much higher than reported.

"Often drivers swerve to miss animals only to hit roadside obstacles, such as trees or poles or oncoming vehicles," he said.

- AAP