Drivers urged to look out for deer on roads

Species more active at this time of the year

Drivers across Lanarkshire are being advised to look out for deer wandering onto trunk roads and motorways, particularly as the evenings draw in.

With the deer rutting season at its peak, Isla Davidson, Scotland TranServ’s senior environmental specialist, said:“Deer are often more mobile at two particular times each year: in May and June young deer disperse from breeding grounds to search for new territory of their own. Meanwhile, October and November is the rutting season for the larger deer species (red deer, fallow and sika), when adult males challenge each other for breeding rights.

“Deer are particularly active around sunrise and sunset which, at this time of year, coincides with the peak commuter time when there are likely to be more vehicles on the road.

“Their darker winter coats make deer particularly difficult to spot, so please be extra vigilant as they can appear without warning out of the fields and woodland that border much of the region’s road network.”

While Scotland TranServ would always advise drivers to remain vigilant to the potential of deer wandering onto our trunk roads there are other actions that motorists can take to help avoid a potential deer strike.

IAM Roadsmart’s Tim Shallcross said: “Deer are well camouflaged and make use of cover such as trees as a defence against predators. Maximise your vision by using your headlights at dusk and dawn – don’t rely on daytime running lights.

“Watch for the reflections of your lights in their eyes – two small points of light ahead could be a deer looking at you.

“Deer are social animals – if one crosses the road ahead of you, slow right down because the rest of the herd may be close behind and will follow without looking for traffic.

“Finally, if deer stop in the road ahead, a single blast of the horn for a couple of seconds will often scare them away, but slow down first.

“Don’t assume the deer will move.”