MythBusters · Video summary

Is It Better To Hit A Moose At High Speed Or Low Speed? | MythBusters

In this episode of MythBusters, the team investigates whether it's safer to accelerate or brake when hitting a moose with a car, ultimately determining that speeding up increases damage and is not a viable strategy, leading to the myth being busted.

MythBusters · June 7, 2026 · 21-min episode · 5-min read

Is It Better To Hit A Moose At High Speed Or Low Speed? | MythBusters

Key takeaways

Accelerating when hitting a moose results in greater damage to both the car and the moose, as shown in the MythBusters test.
The average moose weighs around 620 lbs, making collisions potentially fatal for both the animal and the vehicle occupants.
The myth that speeding up might save you during a moose collision has been busted; it's safer to brake.
Testing revealed that low-speed impacts result in less damage compared to high-speed collisions with a moose.
The MythBusters team created a rubber moose replica to simulate real-life collisions and gather accurate data on the impacts.
Always brake if you see a moose on the road; it could significantly reduce the damage in a collision.

Chapters

0:06🐻 Introduction to the Moose Myth
0:57🚗 Designing the Moose Analog
2:09🦌 Finding a Real Moose
2:59📏 Taking Measurements
3:59🔬 Choosing Moose Texture
5:51🏗️ Building the Moose Dummy
7:24🛠️ Preparing for Crash Tests
10:35🏁 First Crash Test at 45 mph
11:22💥 Analyzing Damage from Impact
13:32🔍 Testing Braking vs. Accelerating
15:58⚡ Acceleration Test
18:45🚑 Final Test with Low Profile Car
22:34❌ Myth Conclusion
24:18💡 Wrap-Up and Future Myths

The digest

High Level Overview

This investigation addresses a critical safety question particularly relevant to drivers in regions like Alaska: when a collision with a moose becomes unavoidable, is it safer to hit it at high speed or to slow down? The analysis is based on realistic crash testing with a custom-built moose replica designed to mimic the mass, size, and physical properties of a real moose, providing rigorous insight into an often-discussed but little-tested myth. The findings have practical implications for anyone driving in moose-dense environments, emphasizing crash dynamics and injury risk mitigation.