Do wildlife crossings on highways reduce crashes? 

Studies show that wildlife crossings can decrease animal-vehicle collisions by roughly 90%, making highways safer for people and animals. Dramatic reductions in crashes have been reported in Colorado, Wyoming, Florida and Canada, among other locations that use wildlife crossings.  

Aside from the dangers animals face from vehicle traffic, highways fragment their habitat, inhibit migration and decrease the genetic diversity required for adapting to changing conditions. Animals of all sizes, from moose to coyotes to otters, use Colorado’s wildlife crossings. 

The state has hundreds of crossing structures, including overpasses, underpasses, bridges and culverts. 

Colorado law enforcement receives an estimated 5,000 reports of wildlife collisions per year, representing up to $80 million in response costs, medical expenses and value of wildlife lost annually. An uptick of collisions happens during peak animal migration season in the fall, especially during dawn and dusk.