Drivers urged to be aware of deer in roads

Drivers in the North West are being urged to be deer aware after a spate of collisions on the region’s roads in recent weeks.
Deer: Motorists are being urged to be aware of deerDeer: Motorists are being urged to be aware of deer
Deer: Motorists are being urged to be aware of deer

The Highways Agency and partners in the Deer Initiative are reminding drivers to be aware of a problem which leads to more than 70,000 collisions between deer and vehicles every year on UK roads.

Chairman for the Deer Initiative, Jane Rabagliati said: “We are pleased that the Highways Agency is taking this issue seriously.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Deer vehicle collisions not only cause injury and stress to drivers but there is also a welfare issue for the deer.”

Stuart Lovatt, Highways Agency safety action plan coordinator, said: “We have mutual interest with the Deer Initiative in spreading the deer aware message.

“Collisions with deer can cause serious injuries or fatalities to motorcyclists or drivers and passengers and at the very least can result in lane and carriageway closures disrupting people’s journeys.

“The key message to road users throughout spring - and again during autumn - is to be on the alert and be prepared for spotting a deer in the carriageway and slow down if you see signs warning of the possibility of deer crossings.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The campaign includes advice messages including using full-beam headlights where possible, but dip them if you see deer as they may ‘freeze’.

Partners say when you see one, look for another - further deer may well cross after the one you have noticed.

Be prepared to stop. Try not to suddenly swerve to avoid a deer. A collision with oncoming traffic or another obstacle could be even worse.

If you collide with a deer and someone may be injured, or if vehicles or deer in the road are a risk to road safety, treat it as an emergency and ring 999 for the police or ambulance service immediately.

Related topics: