Road traffic is the leading cause of hedgehog mortality in the UK, killing an estimated 100,000-200,000 hedgehogs annually — making road safety measures a high-priority welfare intervention.
Hedgehog road mortality causes acute suffering — most vehicle strikes are not instantly fatal, leaving hedgehogs with internal injuries, spinal damage, and fractures that cause prolonged pain before death or euthanasia. The scale of road mortality is enormous relative to the hedgehog population, contributing significantly to the 50% decline seen over 25 years. Mitigation measures including underpasses, reflectors to deter approach to roads, and temporary speed restrictions during peak dispersal periods can reduce mortality. Road mortality is perhaps the single most impactful cause of hedgehog welfare harm available for mitigation through public and policy action.