Road mortality is estimated to kill hundreds of thousands of hedgehogs annually in the UK, making roads one of the primary drivers of population decline alongside habitat loss.
Hedgehogs killed by vehicles typically die from catastrophic internal injuries. Those that survive vehicle strikes often have internal bleeding, broken limbs, and skull trauma and require immediate veterinary attention. Roads fragment hedgehog territories, preventing animals from accessing adequate foraging habitat on the other side. Underpasses designed for hedgehogs allow safe crossing but require careful design with appropriate substrate and dimensions. Urban roads with 30mph limits kill significantly fewer hedgehogs than faster rural roads. Reflective marker posts, wildlife crossing signs, and road surface texture can reduce collision risk at identified hotspots.