Home / Environment / PA Drivers Face 1 in 62 Wildlife Collision Risk
PA Drivers Face 1 in 62 Wildlife Collision Risk
6 Jul
Summary
- Pennsylvania drivers have a 1 in 62 chance of wildlife collisions annually.
- Eleven state agencies will unite to form a wildlife-vehicle collision strategy.
- A federal grant of $840,000 will support the development of this strategic plan.
Pennsylvania motorists encounter a significant risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions, with odds of one in 62 each year, ranking the state fifth nationally for such incidents. Eleven state agencies are now uniting under the Shapiro administration to devise a unified strategy aimed at curbing these collisions and enhancing road safety.
PennDOT and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will jointly lead this collaborative effort. The initiative seeks to make data-driven decisions for transportation and conservation investments, focusing on reducing wildlife-vehicle crashes and protecting vital habitats.
This inter-agency working group's formation follows legislative recommendations and advocacy from environmental organizations. It will leverage an $840,000 federal grant, secured by PennDOT, to develop a strategic plan. This plan will identify key areas for improving wildlife movement across landscapes and prioritizing investments in crossing structures and habitat restoration.
The state already has about 30 wildlife crossings, but advocates emphasize the need for more, integrated into initial planning rather than added reactively. The initiative builds upon existing conservation work by DCNR, which has conserved over 17,000 acres and invested millions in habitat restoration during the current administration. Future infrastructure projects aim to better balance conservation needs with community requirements.
