Roadkill is a horrific yet common problem that affects many different species of animals, but some animals are more susceptible to being hit by cars than others. Here are some of the animals that are most commonly hit by cars:

Deer
Deer are one of the most commonly hit animals on the road, and they're often hit by cars when crossing the road or when startled by vehicles.
 
Opossums
Opossums are also commonly hit by cars, and they're often killed when crossing the road at night.
 
Raccoons
Raccoons are another animal that is frequently hit by cars, and they're often killed when crossing the road or when rummaging through garbage near the road.
 
Squirrels
Squirrels are often hit by cars when running across the road or when they're chasing each other.
 
Skunks
Skunks are also commonly hit by cars, and they're often killed when crossing the road or when foraging for food near the road.

With so many animals killed on the road every year (at least one million a day, by some estimates). there's a great case to be made for wildlife crossings.

In addition to these animals, many other species of wildlife, including birds, snakes, and turtles, are frequently hit by cars. To help prevent roadkill, it's important to be alert and cautious when driving, especially in areas where wildlife is likely to be present. By slowing down and being more aware, we can help reduce the number of animals that are killed on the road.

Roadkill is a common and tragic problem that affects both wildlife and humans. It occurs when animals are hit and killed by vehicles on the road, and it can have serious consequences for the animals involved as well as for the drivers and passengers in the vehicles.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to prevent roadkill and protect both wildlife and human safety. Here are some tips for how to prevent roadkill:
 
Slow down
One of the most effective ways to prevent roadkill is to slow down and be more cautious when driving. This is especially important when driving in areas where wildlife is likely to be present, such as in rural or forested areas.
 
Be alert and watch for wildlife
Always be on the lookout for animals on or near the road, and be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary. This is especially important at dawn and dusk, when many animals are most active.
 
Use your headlights
Turn on your headlights when driving at night, even if you don't think there are any animals nearby. This will help you see animals on or near the road, and it will also make your vehicle more visible to other drivers.
 
Avoid distractions
Distracted driving is a major cause of road accidents, and it can increase the risk of hitting an animal on the road. Avoid using your phone or other distractions while driving, and always keep your eyes on the road.
 
Report roadkill
If you see an animal that has been killed on the road, report it to the appropriate authorities. This can help them identify areas where roadkill is a problem, and it can also help them take steps to prevent future incidents.

By following these tips, you can help prevent roadkill and protect both wildlife and human safety. It's important to remember that we all have a responsibility to share the road with wildlife, and by being more aware and cautious, we can make a big difference.

​ Find out more about wildlife crossings  and a future free from roadkill.

First of all, we highly recommend all wildlife-conscious people carry a couple of wildlife rehabilitator phone numbers in their phones at all times.  That way if you’re the person on the scene of a wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC), or you’re faced with an orphaned or injured animal in someone’s backyard, you have resources at your fingertips and you know whom to call. Here’s how to find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

Wildlife rehabilitators are specially trained, educated and licensed professionals working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian to care for sick, orphaned or injured animals and helping them return to their natural environment. Through wildlife rehabilitation, the animals receive appropriate nourishment for their species as well as medical care in an environment that meets certain standards. Depending on your area, a wildlife rehabilitator may only accept certain types of animals and may refer you to another organization for assistance with other species. But a wildlife rehabilitation center is a great place to start. Otherwise, it is often the state game commission or department of fisheries and wildlife that has oversight of animal removal and assistance on the roads. If you have trouble getting through to someone, anyone—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has a number you can call and they'll support you in finding a resource: (757) 622-PETA.

Wildlife rehabilitator stabilizes an Eagle-owl 
Sarinahornay [CC BY-SA 3.0]

​Yes, absolutely! Some states even have laws about leaving the scene of a WVC (often referring to livestock, dogs and horses) so it's always good to pull over, and either back up your car to the scene of the accident, or get out of your car and approach when it appears safe—whether from vehicular traffic or from the animal's reaction. An animal in fear or distress, such as a deer, could kick you, and many small animals bite and scratch and carry rabies. 

If it is a baby animal, be extremely cautious exiting your car and approaching as its angry and protective parents are most likely near by. This is the time to call for help! 

If the animal is approachable and injured, it is fine to cover the animal with a blanket for comfort from cold and shock. You can also place something gently over the animal's head to help calm it as vision and sensory input will add to its fear and panic. Do NOT touch the animal with your bare hands. Find something (great idea to always carry a blanket or towel of some sort in your trunk) to cover it with and/or use the blanket to help move the animal off the roadway so it is not put in further danger of being hit.

After you have gotten through to a wildlife rehabilitator or the game commission for your state and region, they'll advise you further on what to do. If possible, remain with the animal, which will likely be in pain and terrified. Staying with the animal can help prevent further road traffic from hitting it and can also keep predators away.

Michelle Buntin [Public domain]

Good question. Let's say you're flying down the freeway at 70 mph and somehow a small mammal got trapped between lanes (they're less likely here, but theoretically) and you hit and definitely kill the animal. Show of hands here—with cars whizzing by and heavy traffic and perhaps your car in the middle lane, would you stop? Probably not. It just wouldn't be safe for you or other drivers. 

But let's say you're driving down a two-lane stretch at 55 mph (where most WVCs happen, by the way) and you hit a raccoon. You safely pull over and cautiously approach, only to find that the animal is clearly beyond any kind of rehabilitation. Do you leave it? We say no. Think about it. All the times you've seen a furry lump up ahead in the road and you tried to maneuver your wheels to make sure you straddled the carcass instead of hitting it again. And then of course there's the poor animal that's been run over so many times you wonder why on earth someone couldn't have given it the dignity of removal at some point. Be the ONE! 

1. Find something, like a blanket, towel, T-shirt, or piece of cardboard or plastic, to maneuver the animal onto, and move it well off the side of the road or into nearby forest or brush to let nature take its course.
2. Don't touch the animal with your bare hands.
3. Observe your surroundings, watching for traffic as well as other animals, especially if you hit a baby animal.

Once you have established that you are safe and not injured yourself, or you have called 911 for help, you can turn your attention to the animal. Calling 911 for an emergency event will often trigger a police report as well as removal of the animal from the roadway. Keep in mind that you CAN call 911 even if you, personally, haven't been injured but you've hit a large animal that's lying in the roadway, causing further danger to other vehicle traffic.

Of course you can also call the game commission for your state and in many states there are laws that allow you to collect roadkill to eat it, if that's your thing. Some state wildlife commissions also donate roadkill for scientific research.

ForestWander.com [CC BY-SA 3.0 us ]

Humane Society listing of where to find contact info for wildlife rehabilitators and commissions by state (visit the site and find the contact info for your region)
​​
​People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - help with animal injury on roads (757) 622-PETA (7382)

Have any other suggestions for when you hit an animal while driving? Feel free to comment and share below. And if you found this blog useful, pass it along!

​People are often baffled by deer behavior on the roads, sharing stories of deer not only darting out into the road but jumping right into the side of the car or stopped in the middle of the road, "caught in the headlights."

Here are some tips from Natural Forests on how to avoid hitting a deer while driving:

• Waterways are natural passages for wildlife. Keep an eye out for deer on sides of bridges.
• Ask passengers to help you keep an eye out for deer. Agree on quick way to communicate, such as "Deer, right!"
• Deer-vehicle collisions happen more often on two-lane highways where  the speed limit is 55 mph.
• Don't honk your horn. It could spook the animal and make it dart in the wrong direction. Just slow down and give it time to move. 
• Animal crossings can reduce risk of animal-vehicle collisions by 80%! ​

Are you in a deer-heavy state? Find out your odds of hitting one.

 Have any other guidance on how to avoid hitting a deer while driving? Feel free to submit your comments below! And be sure to see what other resources National Forests has put out there. The It's All Yours campaign about appreciation of our national forests and grasslands is truly inspiring.

Support the bipartisan Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act 2019
This proposal is for a massive conservation effort to preserve and restore native species that are diminishing due to loss of habitat. It's super easy to show your support thanks to Wildlands Network via this quick contact form to your local representatives. ​