New traffic signs rolling out on UK roads because 'it's common sense'

New road signs are rolling out across the UK after law changes to warn motorists of road dangers. The Department for Transport announced the new signs in December last year as a way to protect hedgehogs amid concerns their numbers are dwindling across the UK.

The new hedgehog road sign will save local authorities from ''additional bureaucracy. Mike Massimi, the local Liberal Democrat councillor for the area, said the hedgehog warning signs will set a "precedent" for drivers, The Telegraph reported.

The councillor, who also represented the Liberal Democrats in Coventry East in July's General Election, added: "This area has a lot of large gardens and big green spaces... it is very rich in biodiversity. We have a lot of hedgehogs.

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“The signs are something that people can relate to. We all drive, we all walk by. I was very pleased when the senior officer said yes." Traffic has been identified as a major factor for the decline in hedgehog numbers, dropping by between 30 per cent and 75 per cent in rural areas since 2000.

Speaking at the time, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "These common-sense changes will lead to more small animal signs across the country, cutting down on bureaucracy to help protect both drivers and small animals, improving safety on our roads and making sure fewer casualties are checked into wildlife hospitals like these."

Colin Stocker, CEO at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire, said: "A lot of the 14,000 animals admitted to us every year come in due to road traffic accidents and making motorists more aware of their presence, and encouraging them to be more cautious is a great step towards helping British wildlife.

"We hope this policy change will result in more signage that, in turn, will remind motorists to be mindful of British wildlife when out and about."