According to the Department for Transport, hundreds of people are injured every year in collisions involving animals in the road. For instance, in 2017, over 600 people were injured in accidents involving an animal in the road (excluding horses) and 4 people were killed.
Between 2005 and 2017, 100 people were killed, with a further 14,173 injured in accidents where an animal was in the road.
On 17 June 2019, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling unveiled a new traffic sign, featuring a hedgehog, which warns road users of hazards due to animals in the road ahead and could be placed in areas where accident rates are highest.
Chris Grayling said: “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.”
The move also comes shortly before a refreshed Road Safety Statement and two-year action plan are published. These will look at further ways to reduce the number of deaths on the roads.
For advice on road transport issues, contact Jared Dunbar on 01829 773 105 or jid@dynesolicitors.co.uk