Warning: roe deer on the move

NatureScot has launched its spring road safety campaign together with Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland.

Collisions between deer and vehicles typically increase in late May and early June as young roe deer spread out to look for their own territories, with dusk the period of highest risk.

Until June 19, alerts on electronic variable message signs (VMS) will remind drivers of the risk of deer on the road this spring.

Use of electronic messaging is focussing on the central belt, where the latest data shows there is an increased risk of a collision.

Dominic Sargent, NatureScot Deer Policy Officer, said: “According to the data, there are more than 3,000 recorded collisions between vehicles and deer across Scotland each year, and many more likely go unreported. We also know that roe deer are involved in the most collisions nationally.

“Many high-risk areas are around road junctions and major interchanges, predominantly in the central belt. Roe deer can be attracted to small areas of woodland and scrub near to roads where they can shelter, feed and even have their young.

“Our 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 other options for mitigating the risk, including working with local landowners and investigating the use of Roadside Animal Detection Systems.  

Angus Corby, Transport Scotland Landscape and Biodiversity Manager, 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.”

ENDS