Motorists across the country are being urged to slow down for deer as part of a new campaign which aims to reduce the number of collisions between vehicles and deer on UK roads.
The new 'DeerAware' campaign, which has been launched by the Deer Initiative and the Highways Agency, is seeking to alert drivers to the risks of colliding with the animals, particularly at dawn and dusk during spring and autumn, when animals are particularly active and driving visibility at peak times is reduced.
The Highways Agency warns that deer can be highly unpredictable and is advising motorists to take extra care when they see deer warning signs as accidents can result in death or serious injury for deer, drivers and passengers.
The Deer Initiative estimates that up to 74,000 collisions between deer and vehicles occur in the UK each year, with most deer involved either killed instantly or left to die of their injuries .
Commenting on the campaign, RAC Foundation spokesperson Philip Gomm said: "With 1.5 million deer resident in the UK, the chance of hitting one is significant - as is the risk of being injured or killed as a result."
"Patently you are not going to change the behaviour of the animal, so it has to be the responsibility of drivers be 'deer aware'."
Colin Booty, senior wildlife scientist at the RSPCA, added: "This is probably the biggest welfare issue affecting our wild deer. As well as the deer that are killed, over 10,000 are severely injured every year when hit by vehicles ."
Drivers who hit a deer or come across an injured one are advised by the RSPCA to report it to their cruelty and advice line number and to refrain from handling the animal unless "absolutely necessary".
They are also advised by the Highways Agency to treat a collision with deer as an emergency, especially if someone is injured or if vehicles or deer in the road are a safety risk.
UK Motorists Urged To Slow Down For Deer
Thu, 24 Sep 2009
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