A new traffic sign has been unveiled by the UK’s Department for Transport to warn road users of hazards due to small animals in the road ahead.
The sign – featuring a hedgehog – will be placed in wildlife hotspots and at locations where collisions with animals are high.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling is calling on local authorities and animal welfare groups to identify suitable locations.
“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,” said Grayling. “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.”
In 2017, 629 people were injured in incidents involving an animal in the road (excluding horses) and four people were killed.
