John Allan, The Channon
As distressing as the recent mutilations of wildlife are, the death of thousands of birds, animals and reptiles on local roads each year is a greater threat to the creatures we share this environment with.
Many of these deaths could be avoided by simply driving a little slower on the many hair-raising roads in the area. Driving according to conditions includes a mindfulness that humans are not the only ones using the roads. This is one link to help you think about the issues involved. [http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s861563.htm]
There is a degree of ‘self-protective’ denial involved in ‘taking for granted’ that animals die on roads – the bodies flash by fast. What happens if you stop taking it for granted? We might actually think about the situation in more detail and even consider modifying our behaviour. Is it really that important to get to our destination two or five minutes quicker?
Given that recent potholes are approaching the size of small marine reserves, you might also save a tire, a wheel alignment or a shock absorber too.
