Each year, countless turtles are killed or injured crossing roads as they're struck by vehicles. In the Mid-Atlantic region, these are often box turtles. Roadway mortality is thought to be a major factor in turtle population declines throughout the United States. If you help a turtle cross a road, you're making a valuable contribution to the preservation of North America’s turtles. Even with the best intentions though, many motorists who stop to help often don't know what to do when they spot a turtle in a dangerous roadway. Here's some information to consider when you see a turtle crossing a busy road.







Why did the turtle cross the road?







​Unlike the chicken, turtles aren't just trying to get to the other side, but actually have someplace to go. During the early summer, many female turtles cross roads bearing eggs, moving toward familiar nesting areas. Semi-aquatic turtles can have seasonal movements between different wetland habitats. Hatchlings in roadways can be looking for ponds and backwater to serve as their permanent home.







What's the right way to help a turtle cross a road?





