In the early hours of November 13, 2025, Adam Dresh and a colleague encountered a serious collision involving a moose while driving a rented 2026 Volvo XC60 SUV through northern Sweden. The incident occurred amid a snowstorm on rural roads approximately 90 miles north of the Arctic Circle, an area known for challenging winter weather and treacherous driving conditions.
While traveling at about 50 mph, a passing truck caused a snowdrift that obscured Dresh’s view just as a moose suddenly appeared directly in his path. The resulting impact was severe, with the approximately 880-pound animal striking the vehicle’s hood and windshield. Despite the force of the collision, both occupants emerged unharmed.
Dresh attributed their survival largely to Volvo’s advanced safety features, including the automaker’s large animal detection system. Utilizing radar and cameras, this system identified the moose before the driver saw it and automatically applied braking. Additionally, the car’s seatbelt pretensioners tightened to secure the passengers, airbags deployed, and reinforced structural elements such as the A-pillars and roofline absorbed much of the impact. Volvo’s safety design aims to mitigate injuries in collisions with large animals, which are common in certain regions.
Volvo introduced the large animal detection technology in 2017, making it a standard feature across its vehicle range. The company has also developed specialized crash test dummies weighing nearly 800 pounds to simulate impacts with large animals, enabling testing and engineering enhancements tailored to these scenarios. This focus reflects real-world data showing the frequency and severity of animal collisions, particularly in rural northern areas where wildlife encounters are common.
Statistics underscore the broader safety challenge posed by large animals on roads. Sweden reports about 70,000 collisions with large animals annually, with roughly 5,000 to 6,000 involving moose. In the United States, deer-related crashes are prevalent, with Michigan alone documenting over 58,000 such incidents in 2024, resulting in injuries and fatalities. The National Parks Service estimates that animal-vehicle collisions cause hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries nationwide each year, alongside significant economic costs.
Automotive industry responses vary regarding large animal crash testing. While Volvo conducts extensive evaluations and incorporates findings into vehicle design, other manufacturers have been less transparent. Representatives from Ford and General Motors indicated they do not perform specific large animal testing, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently does not mandate safety standards for these types of collisions but recognizes the issue’s regional importance.
Volvo’s commitment is evident in both its research and safety innovations. Vehicle design incorporates high-strength steel reinforcements around windshields and occupant compartments, along with systems that alert drivers to nearby animals with audible and visual warnings. If a collision is imminent, autonomous braking activates to reduce impact speed, improving outcomes for vehicle occupants.
Reflecting on his experience, Dresh expressed profound gratitude, noting that the safety features likely saved his life. After the collision, Volvo’s On Call system automatically contacted him to confirm his condition, illustrating the integration of connected services designed to assist in emergencies. Dresh also visited Volvo’s crash test facility in Gothenburg to see the moose crash test dummy and learn more about the safety technology that protected him.
His case highlights the real-world effectiveness of targeted safety developments addressing specific regional hazards. As wildlife-vehicle collisions remain a persistent risk in many parts of the world, advances like those pioneered by Volvo demonstrate the potential for automotive safety engineering to reduce injuries and fatalities in these challenging scenarios.