ONE million animals and 10 million birds are killed on Britain’s roads each year - a record of carnage that has been highlighted by a new BBC television programme The Roadkill Chef. But safety champion GEM Motoring Assist – formerly The Guild of Experienced Motorists - (GEM) claims that many people are upset by the slaughter of wildlife and however accidental the incident want to make amends.

To salve the conscience of drivers who squash a squirrel or bump off a pheasant GEM is introducing a system of Friendly Fines for Fallen Fur and Feather that will go towards helping the country’s natural habitat and improving safety on our roads.  “We are inviting drivers to join GEM not only to enjoy the outstanding services we offer but also as a recompense for accidentally killing species on our roads and we in turn will make a donation to  wildlife charity, the Mammals Trust UK,” said GEM Chief Executive David Williams.

“It can be very upsetting for a family out on a drive if a bird or wild animal is destroyed by their car. We believe this is one way the adult at the wheel can tangibly say they are sorry and hopefully calm the tears of younger passengers.”

David stresses that no driver should brake suddenly or swerve to avoid wildlife straying on the carriageway although GEM does believe that excessive speed on country roads can cause the unnecessary death of many creatures.  People should also be aware that it is illegal for them to stop and collect animals they have knocked down.

“In some cases we are even threatening the success of our native species such as the barn owl that flies low when hunting at dusk and is suffering from a dramatic decline in numbers in many areas,” said David.

According to the Mammals Trust UK three million pheasants, 800,000 rabbits, 50,000 deer and similar number of squirrels and badgers and 25,000 urban foxes die on the road every year. For every new member that joins GEM in the next two months the organisation will donate £1 to the Trust.

Commenting on the Friendly Fines project by GEM, Jill Nelson, Chief Executive of the Mammals Trust UK, said: “It is of course sad that so many animals are killed on out roads each year. But in fact large numbers of a species found dead by the road does probably indicate a reasonable population of live mammals in the countryside too.   “Odd as it may seem, it’s when we notice a persistent decrease in road deaths – as we have with hedgehogs over the last five years – that we need to take action. GEM’s Friendly Fines idea is a great way for drivers to help support our work conserving Britain’s mammals.”

To join GEM’s road safety effort and pay a friendly fine to The Mammals Trust contact GEM at Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5EN, call 01342 825676 or visit www.motoringassist.com. For more on the Mammals Trust go to www.mtuk.org .