Transport bosses have introduced new warning signs to protect hedgehogs and small wildlife on the roads.
Motorists will be urged to watch out for the spiny creatures on residential streets, as well as squirrels, otters and badgers.
The Department for Transport said the new signs launched yesterday fill a gap in the existing signage.
Current warning signs focus on larger animals such as deer, cattle and sheep, or smaller animals such as migratory toads and wildfowl.
Local authorities have been asked to identify accident and wildlife hotspots where the new signs should be located.
The move comes as recent statistics revealed that hedgehog numbers in rural areas have fallen by about 50 per cent since the turn of the century.
Barbara Roberts, 67, runs the Withington Hedgehog Care Trust and looks after injured hedgehogs from her home.
The charity boss, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2015, said the new signs are 'absolutely fantastic'.
"I think it's great that councils will be forced to put up these signs", Ms Roberts said.
"The amount of hedgehogs I've had in that have been hit by cars is unbelievable.
"Many more hedgehogs are coming into the town, so I think that they should be on residential streets.
"Anything that helps us protect our wildlife has got to be good."
In 2017, 629 people were injured in accidents involving an animal in the road (excluding horses) and four people were killed.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "We have some of the safest roads in the world but we are always looking at how we can make them safer.
"Motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users are particularly at risk.
"The new small mammal warning sign should help to reduce the number of people killed and injured, as well as helping our precious small wild mammal population to flourish."
