Road casualties on the rise

Wildlife across East Sussex are being slaughtered along roads in the county according to rescuers at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS). Over the past 3 weeks WRAS has received calls about over 25 badgers and 17 foxes. Rescuers have also spotted another 10 dead badgers and 15 foxes whilst out and about. So at least 35 dead badgers and 32 dead foxes have been run over in the past 3 weeks.

WRAS believes it is partly due to the dusk falling through rush hour traffic which is the key problems at this time of year and is urging motorists to take extra care when driving home from work.

"It is impossible to stop wildlife crossing roads especially as we have built so much across this habitats, so us humans as the more intelligent species needs to take the initiative and slow down to help prevent any unnecessary accidents which can result in not just the death of the animal but to drivers and passengers too" said Trevor Weeks founder of WRAS.

Every year it is estimated that over 50,000 badgers and 75,000 foxes and more than 40,000 deer are kills on roads across Britain. "I would estimate that if we started counting all the birds, hedgehogs, rabbits and wildlife we get called to the total number of wildlife killed or injured on roads across Britain would be much more possibly higher than 1 million animals killed on roads by motorists" said Trevor.

"According to the Department of Transport vehicles have risen by more than 80 per cent since 1980 and there are over 30 million cars on our roads." added Trevor.

"We have been noticing an increase in the number of road casualties which die before we arrive on site at an incident. We used to get many more minor injuries and concussion victims which could be easily treated and released but more often than not the injuries sustained by road casualties are life threatening, but we always try our best to treat them where we can. One possible reason for this is the speed which modern car can drive and the size of the vehicles on the road as cars get bigger. The heavier the vehicle and faster it travels the more devastating the outcome for the casualty" said Tim McKenze WRAS's Casualty Care Manager.

East Sussex WRAS is appealing to motorists to slow down and to make a mental note on where they see casualties on a regular basis and to take extra care in those areas. WRAS is also appealing for funds to help WRAS respond to the ever increasing workload which these road casualties create.

WRAS can't afford to deal with road casualty deer at the moment which are quite expensive to rescue and treat and very time consuming. "Sussex Police, members of the public and veterinary practices call us out for a lot for deer road casualties, but veterinary fees and the costs involved in treating and rescuing deer can be over £200 a time and WRAS just can't afford this at the moment, I try to fund as much as I can myself but I don't earn enough to pay these sort of bills personally" said Trevor, "we are dealing with smaller road casualties where we can afford to do so and will always try our best to provide as much help and support as we can."

- END -

Press Contact: Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958

Share this!
Facebooktwitterredditpinteresttumblrmail