Archive

Deer Fear

23/10/2017

As summer fades to autumn, the days are shorter and there is less natural light at peak traffic times in the morning and after school or work. It is only too easy to be caught out by animals crossing the road at these times and deer are sadly too often at the receiving end of collisions. Suddenly stopping and swerving puts human life in danger, too. Road safety authorities ask drivers to be particularly careful during the short, often foggy or misty days of autumn and winter.

For example, Highways England and The Deer Initiative have collaborated to warn motorists about the heightened risk because they fear that there could be as many as 74,000 accidents on the roads related to deer during the year, and that this could mean 700 human injuries and even 20 deaths.

During October to December, the risks are especially high because this is the rutting (mating) season for deer and they are moving around more than at other times.  Drivers need to be particularly vigilant between sunset and midnight, and around dawn.

The deer population of the UK is thought to be about two million with 1.5 million living wild in Britain, so encounters with them are far from rare. Drivers on unfamiliar, especially (but not exclusively) rural roads, should take special care. Many roads where the risk is high do have warning signs: don’t ignore them!  Highways England sensibly says:

  • When you see deer warning signs or are travelling through a heavily wooded or forested stretch of road, check your speed and stay alert.
  • If your headlights are on, use full-beams when you can; but dip them if you see deer, as they may ‘freeze’.
  • More deer may follow the first one you see.
  • Be prepared to stop. Try not to swerve suddenly to avoid a deer. Hitting oncoming traffic or another obstacle could be even worse.
  • If you have to stop, use your hazard warning lights.
  • Do not approach an injured deer – it could be dangerous.
  • If you are involved in a deer vehicle collision and require assistance, please contact the police.

More at www.deeraware.com  or on social media.

As summer fades to autumn, the days are shorter and there is less natural light at peak traffic times in the morning and after school or work. It is only too easy to be caught out by animals crossing the road at these times and deer are sadly too often at the receiving end of collisions. Suddenly stopping and swerving puts human life in danger, too. Road safety authorities ask drivers to be particularly careful during the short, often foggy or misty days of autumn and winter.

For example, Highways England and The Deer Initiative have collaborated to warn motorists about the heightened risk because they fear that there could be as many as 74,000 accidents on the roads related to deer during the year, and that this could mean 700 human injuries and even 20 deaths.

During October to December, the risks are especially high because this is the rutting (mating) season for deer and they are moving around more than at other times.  Drivers need to be particularly vigilant between sunset and midnight, and around dawn.

The deer population of the UK is thought to be about two million with 1.5 million living wild in Britain, so encounters with them are far from rare. Drivers on unfamiliar, especially (but not exclusively) rural roads, should take special care. Many roads where the risk is high do have warning signs: don’t ignore them!  Highways England sensibly says:

  • When you see deer warning signs or are travelling through a heavily wooded or forested stretch of road, check your speed and stay alert.
  • If your headlights are on, use full-beams when you can; but dip them if you see deer, as they may ‘freeze’.
  • More deer may follow the first one you see.
  • Be prepared to stop. Try not to swerve suddenly to avoid a deer. Hitting oncoming traffic or another obstacle could be even worse.
  • If you have to stop, use your hazard warning lights.
  • Do not approach an injured deer – it could be dangerous.
  • If you are involved in a deer vehicle collision and require assistance, please contact the police.

More at www.deeraware.com  or on social media.