I Almost Ran Over 2 Raccoons
The inspiration behind this blog post was "running into" two raccoons. Yesterday. I was coming home from my parents' house. Shortly after I pulled out of their driveway, two raccoons started crossing the highway in my path.
Luckily, I was able to stop on time, and no one got hurt. Today, I noticed no new dead raccoons where they passed the previous night, so they made it to the other side okay.
Sadly, dead raccoons along roadsides, also known as roadkill, are common across America, and I see them all the time in Iowa. It's time we take action. Let's join forces and become raccoon allies, working together to protect them from harm.
Why Are Raccoons So Often Hit by Cars?
Sadly, raccoons meet their demise crossing the road all of the time, and there are a variety of reasons behind that.
Raccoons are nocturnal.
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal. In other words, they do most of their foraging, traveling, and exploring at night.
While this helps them avoid daytime predators, it puts them at greater risk around humans. Night driving conditions already reduce visibility for motorists, and raccoons' dark fur makes them especially difficult to spot on the road.
By the time a driver notices the reflection of raccoon eyes in their headlights, it's often too late to brake safely. Since raccoons are slower-moving compared to animals like deer, their nighttime activity makes them particularly vulnerable to vehicle collisions.
Raccoons forage near roads.
Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, meaning they'll take advantage of almost any readily available food source.
Unfortunately, roadsides often provide a buffet of temptations: unsecured trash, litter tossed from cars, pet food left outdoors, or even roadkill. The smell of these food sources draws raccoons dangerously close to traffic.
Once there, raccoons may linger while scavenging, making them more likely to be struck by a vehicle. Urban and suburban raccoons, in particular, have learned to associate roads with reliable meals, which only increases their risk of collisions.
Raccoons have a slow escape response.
When startled by headlights or the noise of an approaching car, raccoons don't usually sprint out of harm's way like deer or rabbits might. Instead, raccoons often pause, shuffle slowly, or even freeze in place, or at least that was what they did when they saw my car.
This behavior may be a natural defense strategy. Staying still can help them avoid detection by predators in the wild, but it works against them on busy roads. Their hesitation, combined with their relatively short legs and slower gait, means they can't always clear the roadway in time.
Young raccoons are especially prone to freezing, as they're still learning how to respond to danger, which makes them even more vulnerable to oncoming traffic.
Urban expansion disrupts their habitat.
As cities and suburbs spread, more roads and highways cut through areas that were once uninterrupted raccoon habitat. What used to be forests, wetlands, and fields are now neighborhoods, shopping centers, and parking lots crisscrossed with pavement.
Raccoons still need to move between food, water, and shelter, but nowadays, those daily journeys often involve crossing busy streets. Roads become unavoidable barriers in their home ranges, forcing raccoons to risk traffic just to meet their basic needs.
Urban sprawl also pushes raccoons into closer contact with people, where food sources like trash bins and pet food make road crossings even more frequent. In short, human development creates a landscape where danger is built into raccoons' survival routes.
Raccoons commonly travel in nurseries.
During the spring and summer, mother raccoons guide their kits as they explore the world and learn to forage for food. These young raccoons are inexperienced, smaller, and slower than adults, which makes road crossings particularly dangerous.
Mothers often stop frequently to check on or encourage their offspring, meaning the family may spend more time on or near the road. This careful—but slow—movement increases the likelihood that one or more of the young will be struck by a vehicle.
Even when the mother safely reaches the other side, the kits' slower pace and unpredictable behavior put them at high risk. This family dynamic shows how the survival of raccoons depends not only on their own caution but also on humans reducing hazards in their environment.
Raccoons are curious and bold.
Raccoons are known for their intelligence and adventurous nature, which serve them well in the wild when searching for food or navigating complex environments.
However, this same curiosity can put them in danger near roads. They may investigate trash bins, roadkill, or unusual objects along the roadside, often lingering longer than safer animals would.
Unlike deer or other wildlife that instinctively flee from danger, raccoons may pause to explore or manipulate items, making them more vulnerable to vehicles. Their boldness, combined with the allure of easily accessible food in human-dominated areas, frequently leads them into high-risk situations where their cleverness ironically works against them.
4 Tips to Protect Raccoons While Driving
Raccoons are clever, curious, and most active at night, which puts them at high risk of becoming roadkill. Here are four simple ways you can help keep them safe.
1. Slow down at night.
Raccoons are most active after sunset, particularly in suburban neighborhoods, wooded areas, fields, and roads near parks or rivers. Driving at high speeds reduces the time you have to react if an animal suddenly crosses the road.
By slowing down, especially in areas where raccoons are likely to appear, you give yourself a better chance to see them in time and avoid a collision. Even a slight speed reduction can make a big difference, giving both you and the raccoons a safer experience.
Remember, it's not just about protecting wildlife. Slower driving also improves safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.
2. Watch for eyeshine.
One of the earliest signs of a raccoon on or near the road is the reflection of its eyes in your headlights. Because raccoons have dark fur, their bodies can blend into the night, making them hard to spot until it's too late.
The tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer behind their retinas, causes their eyes to glow when light hits them, acting like a natural warning sign. By paying close attention to these glimmers, especially in wooded or suburban areas, drivers can slow down or prepare to stop before the animal steps into the roadway. Staying alert to eyeshine gives raccoons a better chance to cross safely and reduces the risk of accidents.
3. Be especially alert in the spring and summer.
During the warmer months, mother raccoons are raising their young and teaching them how to forage, explore, and navigate their environment. This often means multiple raccoons crossing roads at once, including slow-moving kits that are inexperienced and vulnerable.
Drivers should be especially cautious in these seasons, as raccoon families may linger or move unpredictably while crossing. Slowing down, scanning the road carefully, and being prepared to stop can make a big difference in keeping both adult and young raccoons safe.
Awareness during this period is crucial for reducing collisions and protecting the next generation of wildlife.
4. Never litter, especially from your car.
Raccoons are naturally drawn to easy food sources, and improperly discarded trash along roadsides can act like a magnet. Leftover food, wrappers, and garbage encourage raccoons to forage near traffic, putting them at high risk of being hit by cars.
By keeping trash properly contained and disposing of litter responsibly, drivers and community members can reduce the temptation for raccoons to venture onto roads. This simple action not only protects wildlife but also helps keep streets cleaner and safer for everyone.
4 Ways Communities Can Make Streets Safer for Raccoons
Raccoons often navigate busy streets in search of food and shelter, putting them at high risk. Communities can take simple actions to make roads safer and help these nocturnal neighbors thrive.
1. Build wildlife crossings and tunnels.
Bridges, culverts, and underpasses provide safe routes for raccoons and other wildlife to move between habitats without venturing onto busy roads. These structures are critical in areas where natural corridors have been disrupted by urban development.
By guiding animals under or over traffic, wildlife crossings reduce the risk of collisions while allowing raccoons to access food, water, and shelter safely. Communities that invest in these solutions not only protect raccoons but also help preserve biodiversity and create safer streets for drivers and pedestrians alike.
I have seen these a lot in and around national parks, and nonhuman animals really enjoy them. These places also have a lot fewer animal casualties because of them.
2. Install roadside fencing.
Installing fences along roads doesn't just help reduce noise or improve the safety of the neighborhood. It can also guide raccoons and other wildlife toward designated safe crossing points, such as underpasses or culverts.
By controlling where animals cross, these fences reduce the risk of collisions and keep both wildlife and drivers safer. Well-designed fencing can protect multiple species, maintain habitat connectivity, and ensure that animals aren't forced into dangerous areas near traffic, making it a win for communities and wildlife alike.
3. Put up wildlife warning signs.
Clearly marked signs alert drivers to areas where raccoons and other wildlife frequently cross, especially near forests, parks, or waterways. These signs serve a critical safety function, reminding drivers to slow down and stay vigilant in high-risk zones.
Raccoon crossing signs are not just a novelty or decoration. They are a legitimate traffic safety measure in many communities, helping prevent accidents while protecting nocturnal animals. Consistent placement of these signs, combined with other safety measures like lighting or fencing, can significantly reduce wildlife collisions and foster coexistence between humans and raccoons.
4. Adjust street lighting.
Properly designed street lighting can make a significant difference in protecting nocturnal animals, such as raccoons. By illuminating roads and roadside areas without creating harsh glare, drivers can spot raccoons earlier and have more time to react.
This doesn't mean over-lighting, which can disrupt wildlife habitats. Instead, targeted, low-glare lighting in high-risk zones improves visibility while minimizing impact on the animals' natural behavior. When combined with other measures like wildlife crossings and warning signs, thoughtful lighting helps communities reduce collisions and keep both raccoons and drivers safe.
4 Ways Homeowners Can Help Protect Raccoons
Our neighborhoods are shared with wildlife like raccoons. Homeowners can take these four simple, thoughtful steps to protect these curious, nocturnal neighbors.
1. Secure garbage bins.
Raccoons are naturally curious and always on the lookout for an easy meal, and unsecured trash bins can become a roadside buffet.
By keeping your garbage bins tightly closed or locked, you reduce the chances of raccoons wandering onto streets in search of food. This simple step helps protect them from traffic and keeps your yard clean.
Securing your trash isn't just good for wildlife. It also prevents messes and keeps your neighborhood safer and more pleasant for everyone.
2. Plant natural food sources.
Creating a backyard with native plants, berries, and shrubs provides raccoons with natural food and shelter right where they live. When raccoons have access to safe, reliable resources in their local habitat, they're less likely to wander onto busy streets in search of meals.
- Native berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, and serviceberries, provide a nutritious food source for raccoons and other wildlife.
- Nut-producing trees, like oak, hickory, and walnut, offer seasonal snacks.
- Shrubs with cover, like sumac, holly, or viburnum, provide both food and safe hiding spots.
- A small compost pile or natural leaf cover attracts insects and worms, giving raccoons extra foraging opportunities in a safe area.
- Rain gardens and shallow water features like mini ponds and birdbaths offer hydration without needing to cross streets.
Planting thoughtfully not only helps keep raccoons safe but also supports other wildlife, attracts pollinators, and creates a lush, vibrant backyard. By making your yard a welcoming and resource-rich space, you're helping these clever neighbors thrive while reducing risky road crossings.
3. Avoid feeding wildlife near roads.
While it might feel kind to leave food out for raccoons, doing so near highways, busy streets, or driveways can unintentionally put them in danger. The smell of easily accessible food draws raccoons closer to traffic, increasing the risk of collisions.
Instead, if you want to help your nocturnal neighbors, provide food or habitat resources safely away from roads, like in your backyard or a sheltered garden area. This keeps raccoons nourished while reducing the likelihood they'll venture into high-traffic zones, protecting both them and drivers.
4. Create safe passageways for wildlife.
If your yard borders a road, raccoons may be tempted to cross directly into traffic while searching for food or shelter. By adding natural barriers—like dense hedges, shrubs, or fencing—you can gently guide raccoons toward safer areas, such as your backyard, gardens, or nearby wooded patches.
These passageways help reduce dangerous street crossings while still allowing wildlife to move freely and access resources. Thoughtfully designed landscaping not only protects raccoons but also enriches your property, creating a safe, welcoming environment for your nocturnal neighbors and other wildlife alike.
Being a Good Neighbor to Raccoons
Raccoons are clever, curious, and resilient neighbors, but our roads, yards, and urban development can put them in grave danger.
Many people see raccoons as pests and take steps to protect themselves, but it's important to remember that we are living in their territory. By slowing down at night, securing trash, creating safe habitats, and supporting community measures, we can coexist peacefully with these nocturnal neighbors.
Wildlife protection isn't just about saving endangered species. It's about preventing all animals from declining or going extinct, regardless of population size. Every species, common or rare, plays a role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and caring for wildlife in our own neighborhoods makes a real difference.
Every small action helps give raccoons a fighting chance at a safer life alongside us. Coexisting isn't just about protecting wildlife. It's about sharing our neighborhoods responsibly, with compassion and respect for the animals who call them home.
Stay kind, stay curious, and remember that our neighborhoods are shared spaces, not just for humans and their nonhuman companions. Here's to being a good neighbor to raccoons and all wildlife!
You Might Also Like
Megan McFadden
Megan McFadden
Megan McFadden
Megan McFadden
Megan McFadden