A collision that could cost you ‘deer’

Motorists are being warned to slow down and look out for deer on the Scottish roads.

The number of road accidents involving deer has previously reached its peak in May and June. Scottish National Heritage say that young deer are often on the move at this time of the year as they seek out homes for themselves on new territory.

To help reduce the risk of accidents, the SNH have arranged for warning messages to be put out across the country from 21 May to 11 June.

The signs will feature on high-risk roads along the central belt around Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as around Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, and areas within Perth and Kinross.

Around 9,000 road collisions involving deer happen every year in Scotland, with about 65 of these resulting in human injury. UK-wide, 400 to 700 people are injured every year in deer-related accidents, with around 15 deaths.

Jamie Hammond, SNH Deer Management Officer, said: ‘The risk is higher from dusk through to early morning when deer are more active.’

Motorists are being warned to watch out for deer on the roads

Contrary to common belief, this is not an issue that is isolated to the hills – Dr Jochen Langbein, deer collision consultant to the SNH, added: ‘Roe deer in particular are spreading into parks and other green spaces close to the centre of cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.’

Drivers are advised not to swerve suddenly to avoid hitting a deer as a collision with oncoming traffic could result in an even worse accident. It is also recommended that they take care when breaking sharply. Although full-beams are encouraged in the dark, drivers should dim them when they see oncoming vehicles or animals on the road.

If a deer-related incident does occur, drivers should stop as far away from the animal as possible to avoid distressing it further. Any accident should also be reported to the police as the deer may be fatally injured and suffering.