Wildlife

Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions and Prevention

Hundreds of millions of animals die annually in vehicle collisions; mitigation measures can substantially reduce this toll.

Key Facts

Over 1 million large animals are killed on US roads daily
Deer-vehicle collisions cause 200 human deaths annually in the US
Wildlife crossing structures reduce roadkill by 85-95%
Hedgehog mortality from roads is a leading driver of UK hedgehog decline

Welfare Considerations

Road traffic causes enormous animal mortality and suffering. Animals struck by vehicles may die immediately or suffer from injuries before death. Crossing structures including overpasses, underpasses, and culverts connected to fencing allow wildlife to move safely. Community wildlife mapping programs identify high-risk areas for targeted interventions.

What You Can Do

Slow down in known wildlife crossing areas especially at dusk and dawn
Advocate for wildlife crossing structures in road development projects
Support habitat connectivity planning that includes wildlife corridors
Participate in local roadkill recording programs to identify hotspots