New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign

[A303Chris]

It's all on here , a new sign released to warn drivers of small mammals which may cause an accident and to help to reduce the decline in animal numbers.

It says it covers the size of animals not represented by the toad sign or the deer sign.

However I do believe the decline in hedgehogs is not down to them all being hit by vehicles

[Glen]

A symbol for squirrels would be far more useful, as that is a much more frequently needed warning than hedgehogs and is currently done with the other danger sign.



Although, for grey squirrels it should be an instruction to run them over.

[c2R]

Provided that the sign isn't overused, I think that it is a good thing - clearly there are areas where there are higher instances of roadkill, such as rural B roads near primary distributors.

I agree that not all the decline is through roadkill - I suspect lots of housing is built without the same consideration for wildlife and habitats as new road schemes give, for instance - some of the newer developments near me appear to simply level large plots of land, shredding anything that was on the site before (save for the odd tree or hedge that was subject to a preservation order). More care I think needs to be taken to allow sustainable development while at the same time preserving habitat.

It would also be good if road renewal schemes could take into account small mammal (and other wildlife) preservation through the use of more green bridges over major schemes - but also in terms of investment in smaller realignments to improve road safety and inclusion of other animal crossing points.

[nowster]

Oh, yuk! Far too much fine detail in that drawing. Kinnear and Calvert would be most disappointed.

[c2R]

Oh, yuk! Far too much fine detail in that drawing. Kinnear and Calvert would be most disappointed.

I agree on the design itself, yes. Although I suppose that it was to try and stop it looking too much like a rat, which might have the opposite effect to the one intended

[Chris5156]

Oh, yuk! Far too much fine detail in that drawing. Kinnear and Calvert would be most disappointed.

Yes, and the result is that from a distance it just looks like a blob.

[Bryn666]

It's a fiddly symbol, but for me the real answer is to ensure new roads have suitable wildlife mitigation.

Harder for old roads, obviously, but maybe if people stopped bombing down rural roads after dark at 60+ (given that's well out of safe stopping distance due to headlamp coverage) they might see animals sooner thus not hitting them.

[Tom H]

While any improvement to the safety of endangered wildlife is a good thing, driver behaviour in reaction to these signs could cause other issues.

In my first ever driving lesson, while on a rural side road practicing how to switch between gears, I encountered a pheasant crossing the road. I was in lower gears at the time shifting down, so my instructor told me to stop and allow the pheasant to cross. He then went on to advise me that if this was to occur in a full speed situation, the safest course of action would be to just hit the animal, as suddenly braking or swerving could cause potentially more hazardous situations. Recently, there was a fatality of a young girl from my old sixth form who swerved to avoid a pheasant and lost control of the vehicle, colliding with oncoming traffic. This incident has pretty much now immortalised that advice into my brain.

While pheasants don't particularly fit the criteria of "small mammals" or being particularly endangered, the principles are basically the same. These warning signs may initiate more frequent sharp braking or other unpredictable behaviours in unnecessary situations, especially among the more nervous/die-hard wildlife loving road users.

I suppose with the installation of these warning signs, other road users may be more vigilant of sudden braking etc. if wildlife is encountered, and thus could be more prepared to take avoiding action to prevent collisions. With this considered, the signs are probably a decent way of increasing overall safety of both road users and wildlife.

However, the ultimate safest option is going to be infrastructure such as green bridges or wildlife underpasses. If only money were no object...

[FleetlinePhil]

Oh, yuk! Far too much fine detail in that drawing. Kinnear and Calvert would be most disappointed.

Yes, and the result is that from a distance it just looks like a blob.

Without doing a full "Sonic" job, surely the spines could have been more stylised so as to be obvious at a distance?

[Nathan_A_RF]

Should have used a squirrel instead of a hedgehog; much more of a distinctive shape on a sign.

[Nwallace]

Should have used a squirrel instead of a hedgehog; much more of a distinctive shape on a sign.

The problem with a squirrel sign is it doesn't convey the need appropriately; the Caution Red Squirrels makes sense as we want to preserve them; where as when it comes to Grey's population decline is welcomed.

[jervi]

Should have used a squirrel instead of a hedgehog; much more of a distinctive shape on a sign.

I was thinking the same thing, especially that the sign shows the hedgehog as just a blob with small spikes, which could be lost over time. Something like a squirrel or a rabbit I would say is more appropriate due to its distinctive shape, however the latter may give the indication to the driver that it would be a seasonal warning.

[Chris Bertram]

A fox would be quite distinctive. Mind you, around here, a cat would be the best choice.

[the cheesecake man]

Oh, yuk! Far too much fine detail in that drawing. Kinnear and Calvert would be most disappointed.

Yes, and the result is that from a distance it just looks like a blob.

I second that. We have deer and duck signs so why not hedgehogs but the design could be much better.

[rachandsarai]

A symbol for squirrels would be far more useful, as that is a much more frequently needed warning than hedgehogs and is currently done with the other danger sign.



Although, for grey squirrels it should be an instruction to run them over.

That would be like deer, cows and sheep have there animal symbols. Otters have the caution sign as well.

[Nathan_A_RF]

Two emails to the DfT later...

NP 551.3 Small wild animals likely to be in road ahead

However they didn't send me the associated symbol (S 67) even though I asked for it too.

[avtur]

Is this an official road sign?

I know it's not a small mammal, I'm also intrigued as to what is on the reverse of the sign.

[Conekicker]

Yes, although the "f" should be upper case. The other side will be blank, given that the sign is supposed to be seasonal.

[Ruperts Trooper]

Is this an official road sign?

I know it's not a small mammal, I'm also intrigued as to what is on the reverse of the sign.

There's only a seasonal risk of frogs/toads moving/migrating.

[avtur]

Is this an official road sign?

I know it's not a small mammal, I'm also intrigued as to what is on the reverse of the sign.

There's only a seasonal risk of frogs/toads moving/migrating.

The sign is on 'Hundred Acre Lane' I was half wondering if there was a warning about 'Tiggers' on the other side