Newfoundland judge dismisses moose vehicle collision class action lawsuit

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A judge in Newfoundland and Labrador has dismissed a class-action lawsuit that claimed the provincial government was negligent by failing to do enough to protect drivers from moose-vehicle collisions.

Provincial Supreme Court Judge Robert Stack delivered his decision Friday, saying the provincial government was not liable for the collisions and implemented an appropriate accident-prevention policy.

Stack’s ruling also says that one of the plaintiffs’ key witnesses, wildlife expert Dr. Tony Clevenger, was biased, unreliable and provided misleading information.

The class-action lawsuit included people who were seriously injured since 2001 and several estates of those who have been killed.

Ches Crosbie, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, had argued the province knew for at least 10 years that moose pose a hazard on the highways but did not decide on a specific policy to reduce that risk.

Crosbie issued a statement Friday saying the decision was a ”moral victory” for the plaintiffs because the government has responded to the lawsuit by taking action to reduce moose-vehicle collisions.