Why so many dead badgers on the road?

[Mr GrimNasty]

brrapp said:

Ever since badgers became protected by law their population has increased every year , the population has at least doubled in 25 years since they became a protected species. There are estimated to be at least 400000 in England though there may be as many as three times that figure.
Lots of live badgers mean that you get lots of dead ones on the roads.

If there were 43 dead ones spotted in one journey, the population size is not the reason behind it. There is clearly some current/extraordinary factor at play, or mischief afoot.

[Equus]

The Spruce goose said:

They control vermin amongst other things

Although there seems to be reasonable evidence that the increase in badger numbers correlates pretty well with the decline in hedgehogs, too.