DRIVERS have been issued a “high-risk” warning to look out for roe deer on the roads this summer, by Scotland’s leading nature agency.
NatureScot has warned that collisions between the animals and vehicles typically increase at this time of year, with dusk being the highest risk period of the day, as young roe deer spread out to look for their own territories.
The agency said that more than 2000 crashes are reported in Scotland each year, but suspects the number is much higher, with many more collisions being unreported.
NatureScot has now launched a spring road safety campaign alongside Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland in a bid to lower the number of collisions between motorists and the animals.
Dominic Sargent, NatureScot deer policy officer, warned that high-risk areas for incidents include road junctions and major interchanges.
He said: “According to the data, there are almost 2000 recorded collisions between vehicles and deer across Scotland each year, and many more will go unreported.
“In urban and sub-urban areas, roe deer live close to people and transport routes, and high-risk areas for incidents include road junctions and major interchanges, some of which have areas of woodland and scrub nearby where roe deer can shelter, feed and even have their young.
“This campaign will remind drivers in these areas to be alert and slow down to help reduce the likelihood of collisions. We’re also continuing to explore what more can be done to mitigate the risk, including through local deer management plans.”
Alerts on electronic variable message signs (VMS) will remind drivers of the risk of deer on the road until June 13.
Electronic messaging is being used in areas where there is an increased risk of a collision – many of which are in the busy central belt of the country.
Angus Corby, Transport Scotland landscape and biodiversity manager, said the campaign aims to improve road safety and deer welfare.
He said: “Reducing the risk of deer-vehicle-collisions across Scotland’s Trunk Road Network is a real challenge, and Transport Scotland is pleased to continue our important partnership with NatureScot to tackle the issue.
“We are working closely together to establish and maintain a picture of the high-risk areas across the country, so we can focus our mitigation efforts and make them as effective as possible, both for road-user safety as well as the welfare of the deer.”
