A little sad all the cars are back on the road

[Soubriquet]

When we were in lockdown, I barely saw anyone on the roads. This meant apart from the odd bird every now and then, I haven’t seen any dead animals.

This week I’ve seen various dead birds, a dead hedgehog and even a badger. I’ve never seen a badger before in real life and I’m sad the first one I saw was dead.

Previously, I have seen a dead fox and even a dead deer.

I know accidents happen and people need to drive but it was so nice not to have to see all these animals suffering because we built up around where they live.

Bright side, I saw my first hare today! I’m constantly seeing rabbits but never hares. I was surprised at how much bigger hares are than rabbits

Yeah but boris is telling people not to use public transport so of course people will drive

I live adjacent to a rural main road and it was blissfully quiet at first. Usually it’s only that quiet when there’s been an accident or a heavy snowfall. I could walk to the farm with my daughter - daren’t do that now.

There have been so many cars back on the road around me for at least a month now. I loved the empty roads (live in a city)
It doesn't take me as long to get to work in the morning but that is because not all the year groups are back in school.

@Heatherjayne1972

Yeah but boris is telling people not to use public transport so of course people will drive

I said I understand people need to drive

A car is a necessary evil

But that doesn’t mean I can’t be sad that wildlife which was once blossoming, is now hiding and dying again

They’d do well to hang around in the special ‘Covid Cycle Lanes’ that have been cordoned off around my nearest city. They would not be troubled by bikes there, that’s for sure!

I did quietly warn the squirrels not to get too blasé about the quietness on our road as they started to explore a bit further. There are always a few casualties in spring (I think the old bridge is like that place that confuses dogs to jump dangerously over) but not this year.

Heatherjayne things can be bittersweet.

I agree!! While I am guilty of using my car I hate seeing all the traffic again! I felt wildlife was becoming more confident with less cars and people around

Yes, it's much busier. I'm a keywoker so was driving to work all through lockdown and was loving how quiet it was. For the environment more than for my commute!

When I hit a low ebb a few weeks ago, one of the things that struck me was the increase in cars and decrease in pedestrians. (Ironically I was driving my car at that point)

Early lockdown felt less isolated as the pavements were busy and there was more sense of community.

Day times off-peak feel fairly normal, but there isn't a proper rush-hour yet, and there is still a lot less to-ing and fro-ing than there is normally.

I'm still noticing more cyclists which is good.

oh my gosh, I didnt even put 2 + 2 together, but yes, today i saw 1 x dead badger, 1 x dead squirrel, 1 x dead fox, and numerous dead birds on a two hour journey! I felt sad each time but didn't think too much of it.
Of course its because wildlife since March got used to less traffic etc, got braver, or the new babies hadn't learned dangerous situations yet, as there's been less traffic.
How sad.

I noticed as lockdown lifted, when I went for a walk I could 'taste' the pollution in the air (very built up area, that became very clear once lockdown started) its horrible.

I absolutely loved the impact lockdown had on the environment, and I've been sadden to see the return, and now it's been pointed out to me the effect is had on wilflife re: roadkill, well - its just so sad!
So yes, op. I agree!