Deer vehicle collisions campaign
25 April 2008
Campaign highlights dangers of deer on Scotland's roads
Drivers in Scotland were today urged to drive with extra caution as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers associated with wild deer on the country’s roads. Research funded by the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) has highlighted the increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions depending on geographical location, time of day, time of year and deer species.
The risk of a collision with deer reaches a peak during May when juvenile roe deer are dispersing from the area where they were born and red deer remain on low ground to feed on fresh spring grass growing by the roadside.
The research, which was conducted by the Deer Initiative, also highlighted a higher deer-vehicle collision risk in early morning and evening, and idenitifed locations where the threat was greater than others.
Although deer are an accident risk throughout the year DCS warned drivers to be extra vigilant during May and June when the risk increased. The Agency also highlighted the need for drivers to take care when driving on urban roads as deer also occur in Scotland’s towns and cities.
DCS Director of Deer Management, Robbie Kernahan said: “This research provides us with detailed information about the different factors involved in deer vehicle collisions. It enables us to make informed decisions about where to take measures to reduce collisions, for example through warning drivers or reducing cover for deer alongside roads.“ A great deal of work has been done in recent years, bringing different organisations together to look at introducing measures to reduce the accident rates. Driver awareness remains an important part of the solution. “We will continue to monitor the issue and find solutions so that people can enjoy seeing deer in Scotland but at the same time ensure they do not pose a threat to public safety.” To highlight the dangers posed by deer to as many road users as possible text will be displayed on Variable Message Signs at locations throughout Scotland from now until 7th May. A spokesman for Transport Scotland, which operates the signs, said: "Transport Scotland is pleased to work with The Deer Commission on this initiative as it helps support our aim of reducing the risk of accidents by ensuring drivers are aware of animal wildlife in the nearby area. "Use of information services such as variable message signs, the Traffic Scotland website (www.trafficscotland.org) and our Customer Care line (0800 028 1414), that form part of our wider information services, are vital to help drivers plan their journeys in advance."
The research into deer vehicle collisions was conducted by the Deer Initiative. The organisation recorded the number of collisions not only in Scotland but across the UK as a whole. Jochen Langbein of the Deer Initiative said: “The annual toll of 8000 or more collisions between vehicles and deer in Scotland alone results not only in numerous human injury accidents and several million pounds in car repair costs, but also present a very major animal welfare issue.“ Around a third of all deer hit by vehicles survive the initial impact but suffer for prolonged periods at the roadside until a qualified person can attend to dispatch or treat them. Research to date has helped to assess the minimum scale and geographic distribution of the problem but submission of further records of deer vehicle collisions to the project will be required over the coming years to identify the worst affected road sections more precisely and to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures being implemented.”