Bridging the Gap: Protecting Wildlife and Drivers on Our Roads

 

When Wildlife and Highways Collide: Are We Paying Attention?

A deer cautiously steps onto a suburban street, its natural habitat replaced by asphalt. Have you ever stopped to wonder why scenes like this are becoming so common? As cities expand and industries push deeper into once-protected lands, wildlife is left with nowhere to go—except straight into our roads, neighborhoods, and backyards.

This growing crisis isn’t just about losing beautiful landscapes. It’s about survival—both for animals and for us. What happens when we prioritize short-term economic gain over the long-term health of our environment?

A Deadly Crossing: The Cost of Human Expansion

As we continue to encroach on natural habitats, highways and roads become dangerous barriers that wildlife must navigate. The result? A staggering increase in wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Each year, over 1 million large mammals are killed on U.S. roads, causing hundreds of human fatalities and resulting in $1.6 billion in damages across 11 western states alone—with Utah accounting for $250 million of those costs. Between July 2023 and June 2024, there were 1.8 million animal collision insurance claims.

These aren’t just numbers. Each collision represents a life lost—sometimes human, sometimes animal, always tragic. A split-second encounter with a deer, moose, or bear can leave families devastated, vehicles destroyed, and ecosystems further destabilized.

Are we willing to accept this as the cost of progress?

The Role of Technology: Can Innovation Save Lives?

While the problem is serious, solutions exist. Imagine if every vehicle was equipped with ultrasonic frequencies or infrared lights that warned animals of approaching traffic. These systems, already being explored in some areas, could drastically reduce the number of collisions.

What if automatic braking systems could detect animals and respond before a crash happens? Modern technology allows us to protect both wildlife and drivers—but only if we invest in these solutions.

National Parks at Risk: What Happens When We Drill for Profit?

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are just one symptom of a bigger issue: the loss of protected lands. The government has proposed opening national parks and public lands to increased drilling and resource extraction. But at what cost?

Drilling disrupts ecosystems, forcing animals to migrate into unfamiliar territories—often toward human developments and busy roads. Increased wildlife intrusion into towns can lead to more vehicle collisions, property damage, and safety risks for communities.

Is temporary economic gain worth the permanent destruction of our natural treasures? National parks were created to preserve nature, yet policies that favor drilling over conservation put them—and everything living in them—at risk.

A Proven Solution: Wildlife Crossings Work

Thankfully, some states are already taking action. Utah has been a leader in implementing wildlife crossings—bridges and tunnels designed to give animals a safe passage across busy roads. The first was built on I-15 near Beaver in 1975, and since then, over 50 crossings have been constructed statewide.

These efforts are paying off. Collisions in areas with wildlife crossings have decreased significantly. In January 2025, Utah received a $9.6 million federal grant to enhance wildlife safety along US-40 by adding fencing and retrofitting underpasses.

If we know these solutions work, why aren’t we seeing more of them nationwide?

The Bigger Picture: What Can We Do?

The problem isn’t just about wildlife—it’s about the choices we make as a society. Do we truly understand the consequences of unchecked urban expansion, deforestation, and drilling?

We can take action by:
✅ Supporting the construction of more wildlife crossings nationwide.
✅ Advocating for advanced vehicle technology that prevents animal collisions.
✅ Opposing policies that allow drilling in national parks.
✅ Contacting lawmakers and demanding stronger conservation efforts.

The Choice Is Ours

Are we willing to let greed and short-term gain dictate our future? If we don’t act now, what will be left for future generations? Will national parks exist only in history books? Will wildlife become nothing more than a distant memory?

We have the power to create change—but it starts with awareness and action. The time to act is now.

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a growing issue across the country, but some states, like Virginia, are taking proactive steps to address the problem. By examining what Virginia has done and what more can be improved, we can see how similar strategies could be applied nationwide to create safer roads for both wildlife and drivers.

Protecting Virginia’s Wildlife and Drivers: What’s Being Done and What More Can Be Done

Every year, thousands of animals are forced to navigate the dangers of Virginia’s highways, often with devastating consequences. If you've ever had a close call with a deer on the road, you know how quickly these encounters can turn deadly. But did you know that Virginia sees over 60,000 deer-vehicle collisions annually, resulting in nearly $533 million in damages? These numbers highlight the urgent need for solutions that protect both wildlife and human lives.

Virginia’s Current Efforts to Reduce Wildlife Collisions

Virginia has recognized the dangers posed by increasing wildlife-vehicle collisions and has taken proactive steps to mitigate them.

1. The Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP)

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation mandating the development of a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP). This initiative is a collaborative effort between multiple state agencies, including the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the Department of Forestry (DOF). The plan aims to identify high-risk wildlife corridors and implement solutions like wildlife crossings to improve connectivity and reduce accidents.

2. Data-Driven Collision Prevention

Virginia is using advanced data collection methods to pinpoint the most dangerous areas for wildlife crossings. VDOT and DWR have implemented pilot studies utilizing GPS tracking to document and analyze animal movement and vehicle collisions. By leveraging this data, the state can better target areas that need wildlife crossings, fencing, or improved signage.

What More Can Be Done?

While Virginia has made commendable strides in wildlife conservation and road safety, there’s still much more that can be done.

1. Expand Wildlife Crossings

One of the most effective ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions is to build overpasses and underpasses specifically designed for animals. Some states, such as Utah and Colorado, have successfully reduced accidents by implementing these structures. Virginia could expand its investment in these crossings, prioritizing high-risk zones for construction.

2. Improve Roadway Signage and Driver Awareness

Many drivers are unaware of peak wildlife movement times, particularly during dusk and dawn. Virginia could implement dynamic, sensor-based road signs that alert drivers when wildlife is detected nearby, helping to prevent sudden collisions.

3. Increase Habitat Conservation Efforts

As urbanization and infrastructure expansion continue, preserving and restoring wildlife habitats becomes even more critical. By protecting forested areas and open lands adjacent to highways, the state can provide animals with alternative routes, reducing the need for them to cross roads in dangerous areas.

4. Utilize Advanced Technology in Vehicles

Automakers are already exploring systems that use ultrasonic frequencies, infrared lights, and automatic braking to prevent animal collisions. Encouraging the adoption of these technologies in Virginia could be a game-changer in reducing accidents.

Why It Matters

The issue of wildlife-vehicle collisions extends beyond just the animals—it’s about public safety, economic impact, and environmental preservation. The $533 million in damages caused by these incidents annually affects taxpayers, insurance rates, and public resources. But beyond the numbers, each collision is a reminder of our growing footprint on nature.

By expanding current efforts and embracing innovative solutions, Virginia can continue to lead the way in balancing conservation with road safety. Protecting wildlife means protecting ourselves, and with the right steps, we can create safer roads for everyone—human and animal alike.

Sources:

• Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Wildlife Corridor Action Plan. Retrieved from https://www.virginiadot.org
• Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Reducing Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions in Virginia. Retrieved from https://www.dwr.virginia.gov
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.iihs.org
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Effectiveness of Wildlife Crossings. Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov