UK: Exclusive: Cyclist saves Boris the Badger from Certain Death by Motorist

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Badgers At Play

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sourced by Amy Judd

TONBRIDGE, Kent.   At night, I came across a badger, scuttling across the road, without a care in the world, heading towards a badger sett, our eyes locked. (It was quite a surprise to see a badger alive on my cycle route)

At first, I thought it was a dog but it had a strange gait, rather like a squirrrel. I heard it's claws on the tarmac. As it saw me, my lights dazzled it so it suddenly changed direction and headed off into the hedge.  Two minutes later, a motorist, speeding at 70mph, way past the 40mph speed limit, zoomed past us. The badger had a narrow escape (and so did I for that matter!).

I have seen several badgers killed on the crossing point and there are no Wild Animal signs by the fields on the main road so I suggested to the council that perhaps they can have one and perhaps, install speed cameras.

Motorists, seem to think that, just because it is a quiet road at night, there are no other 'natural' dangers lurking around. They do not always 'read the road' properly particularly after a night out with their friends. Many  are  unaware that other animals like deer, are out and about at night. Animals often jump into the road, and can cause an accident.

According to the West Kent Badger Group, badger numbers are increasing, and some are becoming 'urban badgers' and  end up in local gardens. Clearly,  there are more about and motorists, and other road users, will need to be  more vigilant.

Sadly, adequate road safety information is not keeping up with the marked increase of wild badgers.