An evidence-based guide to road traffic mortality in hedgehogs, the most significant cause of hedgehog death in the UK, with practical mitigation solutions.
Key Facts
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) kill an estimated 100,000-300,000 hedgehogs per year in the UK — this is the single largest identified cause of hedgehog mortality.
Hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable to roads because their anti-predator response is to curl into a ball rather than flee — this instinct is fatal when confronted with vehicle tires.
Hedgehog road mortality peaks in late spring (young males dispersing) and autumn (pre-hibernation foraging) — these are the periods when mitigation actions have the greatest impact.
Hedgehog tunnels (purpose-built pipes beneath roads in known crossing areas) reduce mortality significantly — they are effective even when lined with natural materials.
Citizen science reporting of road-killed hedgehogs (to PTES Hedgehog Street) generates distribution data that identifies high-risk corridors for infrastructure mitigation.
Speed reduction in residential areas reduces hedgehog RTAs — 20mph zones in built-up areas are associated with reduced hedgehog mortality in surrounding gardens.
Garden habitat connectivity (hedgehog highway holes) reduces road mortality by providing alternative safe foraging routes — connected gardens reduce the need to cross roads.
Welfare Considerations
Hundreds of thousands of hedgehogs die on UK roads every year — a preventable welfare catastrophe. Install hedgehog highway holes to connect gardens and reduce road-crossing necessity. Report road-killed hedgehogs to PTES. Advocate for hedgehog tunnels under roads in known high-mortality areas. Support 20mph zones in residential areas as a combined road safety and wildlife welfare measure.
What You Can Do
Install 13x13cm hedgehog highway holes in garden fences to reduce road-crossing necessity
Report road-killed hedgehogs to PTES Hedgehog Street at hedgehogstreet.org
Advocate for hedgehog tunnels under known high-mortality road sections in your area
Support 20mph speed limit zones in residential areas — they reduce both child and hedgehog road casualties