New wildlife road sign introduced
A new road sign has been introduced in the UK to reduce the number of people in collisions involving animals in the road.
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2019 09:34 GMT
The new road sign warns drivers of large concentrations of small, wild animals like hedgehogs
In 2017, 629 people were injured in accidents involving an animal in the road, excluding horses, and four people were killed.
The new road sign, featuring a hedgehog, is designed to warn road users of hazards due to animals in the road ahead. Transport secretary Chris Grayling is asking local authorities and animal welfare groups to help identify spots where the sign should be positioned.
Aside from reducing accidents, it is hoped that the new sign will help to reverse the decline in wildlife numbers, particularly hedgehogs whose population has halved in rural areas since 2000.
Jill Nelson, chief executive officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), says: “At PTES roadkill has long been a concern, which is why we launched our Mammals on Roads survey.
“We have also joined forces with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to deliver the Hedgehog Street campaign, meeting with Mr Grayling to express our concerns for hedgehogs on roads and elsewhere. We welcome this focus on road safety and protection for all small mammals.”
The new small mammal warning sign should help to reduce the number of people killed and injured, as well as helping our precious small wild mammal population to flourish”
Tony Campbell, chief executive of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), says: “Powered two-wheelers provide a great solution to road congestion, but like all road users, riders must be aware of those around them. Therefore, the MCIA is pleased to welcome these new signs that will help everyone, including those on 2 wheels or 4 legs, complete their journeys more safely.”
The road sign will fill a gap between warnings about smaller animals like migratory toads and wildfowl, and large animals signified on signs with deer and livestock symbols.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling comments: “We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking at how we can make them safer. Motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users are particularly at risk.
“The new small mammal warning sign should help to reduce the number of people killed and injured, as well as helping our precious small wild mammal population to flourish.”
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