New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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
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
The M25 - The road to nowhere
- Glen
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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.
Although, for grey squirrels it should be an instruction to run them over.
Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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.
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.
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
Oh, yuk! Far too much fine detail in that drawing. Kinnear and Calvert would be most disappointed.
Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
Yes, and the result is that from a distance it just looks like a blob.
Chris
Roads.org.uk
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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.
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.
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Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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...
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
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
Should have used a squirrel instead of a hedgehog; much more of a distinctive shape on a sign.
Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) 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.Nathan_A_RF wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 16:16 Should have used a squirrel instead of a hedgehog; much more of a distinctive shape on a sign.
Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) 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.Nathan_A_RF wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 16:16 Should have used a squirrel instead of a hedgehog; much more of a distinctive shape on a sign.
- Chris Bertram
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
A fox would be quite distinctive. Mind you, around here, a cat would be the best choice.
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- the cheesecake man
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
I second that. We have deer and duck signs so why not hedgehogs but the design could be much better.
- rachandsarai
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
That would be like deer, cows and sheep have there animal symbols. Otters have the caution sign as well.
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- Nathan_A_RF
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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.
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.
Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
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.
I know it's not a small mammal, I'm also intrigued as to what is on the reverse of the sign.
- Conekicker
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
Yes, although the "f" should be upper case. The other side will be blank, given that the sign is supposed to be seasonal.
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- Ruperts Trooper
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Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
There's only a seasonal risk of frogs/toads moving/migrating.
Lifelong motorhead
Re: New Small Mammal (hedgehog) Sign
Ruperts Trooper wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 20:25There'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