Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a significant issue in the United States, with an estimated one to two million collisions occurring each year. According to studies by State Farm, Virginia consistently ranks among the top 10–15 states for wildlife-related vehicle collisions. These incidents result in the deaths of millions of animals, cause injuries and fatalities to motorists, and lead to billions of dollars in property damage and other costs annually.
While some wildlife-vehicle collisions are unavoidable, many can be prevented through the development of wildlife crossings, which provide safe passage for animals across roads and help reduce the likelihood of dangerous encounters with vehicles.
The Toll on Wildlife
Each year, the Wildlife Center sees firsthand the impact of vehicle collisions on wildlife. In the past decade alone, more than 6,000 animals representing more than 150 species—including several threatened and endangered species—were admitted to the Center after being struck on roadways. These patients range from Woodland Box Turtles and Virginia Opossums to Bald Eagles and Black Bears. The vast majority arrive with severe injuries, including fractured bones, internal trauma, and other significant impact-related wounds. In most cases, the damage is so extensive that humane euthanasia is the only option available to the Center's veterinarians. As a result, only one in six of these patients ultimately recovers and is able to return to the wild.
Human and Economic Impacts
Beyond the toll on wildlife, wildlife-vehicle collisions also pose a serious risk to motorists. Drivers and passengers involved in these incidents can suffer significant injuries, and when larger animals such as deer or bears are involved, those injuries can sometimes be fatal. According to the Federal Highway Administration, wildlife-vehicle collisions involving large animals result in approximately 26,000 injuries and 200 fatalities each year in the United States.
The financial costs are substantial as well. In addition to vehicle repairs, wildlife collisions generate significant medical expenses, emergency response costs, and other economic impacts. Collectively, these incidents result in an estimated $8 billion in property damage and additional costs each year.
Wildlife Corridors Provide a Solution
The most effective way to reduce and prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions is through wildlife corridors—overpasses and underpasses that reconnect fragmented habitats and allow animals to safely cross roads. When paired with wildlife fencing that guides animals to these crossings, studies have found they can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 80–99%, while maintaining important habitat connections for a wide variety of species.
Wildlife crossings come in many forms. Some are large structures designed to accommodate species such as deer, elk, and bears. Others are much smaller in scale, allowing salamanders, turtles, and other small wildlife to safely cross beneath roads. In many locations, a single crossing system is used by dozens of species, demonstrating that these structures benefit entire ecosystems—not just a handful of animals.
How You Can Help
While it will ultimately take legislators, transportation agencies, and conservation partners working together to make wildlife corridors a standard part of infrastructure planning, there are things we can all do to help make that happen.
Advocate for wildlife crossing legislation. Contact your state legislators and encourage them to support policies and funding for wildlife crossings.
Submit public comments on transportation projects. When new road projects are proposed, ask whether wildlife-vehicle collision prevention and wildlife crossings have been considered in the planning process.
Report wildlife-vehicle collisions. Check whether your state has a system for reporting wildlife-vehicle collisions. This data helps identify collision hotspots and shows where crossings and underpasses are needed most.
Educate others about the importance of wildlife crossings. The more people who understand the issue, the more public support can be built for safer roads and connected wildlife habitats.
Virginia Residents can donate to the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund. Established in 2026, this fund goes toward wildlife crossing development in Virginia and allows the public to voluntarily contribute through tax returns and DMV transactions.