Deer cause 40 accidents a day on our roads

DEER are linked to up to 14,000 road accidents a year in Scotland – almost 40 a day.

Collisions involving the animals have risen by more than a third – 35 per cent – in the past decade.

These accidents cause more than 120 injuries to humans every year, costing an estimated £13.8million.

The figures emerged in a report by the Deer Working Group (DWG).

The study also highlights that winter is a particularly dangerous time for motorists, as deer often move to lower ground for grazing at dusk and dawn, and there are wet and icy conditions on the roads.

The DWG, an independent group appointed by ministers in 2017, said official figures recorded 1,756 deer vehicle collisions (DVCs) in 2018.

But it has estimated that the total number is actually between 8,000 and 14,000 a year, blaming the disparity on ‘ inconsistent recording’ of incidents.

DVC figures include cases where there has been a collision with a deer and when a vehicle swerves to avoid one of the animals and hits something else.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS)said its rangers are often called out over wounded deer.

The quango is responsible for 1.6million acres – 9 per cent of Scotland’s land area – and deer management is a significant part of its activity.

Ian Fergusson, FLS head of wildlife management, said: ‘Scotland’s deer population is increasing and we have watched the deer-related road accident statistics climb steadily over the past decade.

‘Deer pose many challenges in terms of habitat management – the more deer there are the greater potential damage they can do.

‘When deer numbers are high or food is scarce, they need to range widely for enough food and this often brings them down into more urban areas.

‘In terms of busy roads, the results can be catastrophic.’

Deer numbers north of the Border are estimated to have almost doubled from around 511,000 in 1990 to one million this year.

FLS tries to help control the soaring population through an annual cull of around 35,000 deer – one-third of the ‘national cull target’. Most recorded road accidents involving deer occur in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Fife and the Central Belt, although Lanarkshire has seen significant increases in the past decade.

Chief Inspector Neil Lumsden, road policing commander for

Highlands and Islands, said: ‘Country and rural roads have many unexpected hazards and the presence of deer on our roads, particularly at this t i me of year, should always be a consideration of road users.

‘It is impossible to predict what will happen on the road ahead and you should always ask yourself, “Do I know what is around the next corner?” and “Could I stop in the distance I can see to be clear if I have to?”.’

He added: ‘ I would always remind people to drive to the conditions and understand and react to warning signs.

‘They are there for a reason. Ensure you know what they mean, slow down, drive appropriately and expect the unexpected.’

Motorists involved in a deer collision are advised to report any incident to the police by dialling 999.

Do not approach an injured deer as it may be dangerous.

If the animal is still alive but injured, call the Scottish SPCA.

‘Unexpected hazards’