Estimated mortality of mammals and the costs associated with animal–vehicle collisions on the roads in the Czech Republic

We use questionnaires to estimate the mortality of mammals on the roads in the Czech Republic and estimate the costs involved. Annual mortality was quantified for eleven species/groups of mammals, and the highest mortality was recorded for common species such as Lupus europaeus and Capreolus capreolus. The vehicle damage is most frequent after collisions with ungulates, which also impose the highest vehicle repair costs. If the animal loss were compensated by releasing animals into the wild, the highest costs would be associated with the release of C. capreolus and L. europaeus. Overall annual compensation costs would exceed €100 million.

► Vehicle–animal collisions are incidental, regardless of mileage or category of drivers. ► Most collisions involve no human injuries. ► Common game animals, such as L. europaeus and C. capreolus are killed most often. ► The cost of damage exceeds €100 million annually.