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Deer warning to drivers

A magpie sits on a deer at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.
A magpie sits on a deer at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

Road signs warning of the danger deer pose to motorists are to be put up across Courier Country next month.

May is the peak time for accidents involving the animals as yearlings begin looking for their own territories.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) says there are more than 7,000 collisions between motor vehicles and deer every year in Scotland, with an average of 65 of these resulting in human injuries.

They will be working with Transport Scotland to place warning signs where there are higher rates of collisions, including on the A9 and A90.

The signs, which will bear a variety of messages, will be in place from Monday to May 31. It is estimated that accidents involving deer and vehicles cost the country £7 million every year.

Across the UK, it is estimated there are between 42,000 and 74,000 deer-vehicle related accidents a year, resulting in 400 to 700 human injuries and about 15 deaths, with an annual cost approaching £47 million.

The Deer Vehicle Collisions Project has listed a number of stretches of road across Courier Country which pose a problem at this time of year.

The list includes parts of the notorious A9 particularly between Dunblane and Perth, as well as the Bankfoot to Pitlochry stretch.

They have also identified the A85 Methven to Perth and the A90 between Dundee and Brechin as problem spots.

Dr Jochen Langbein, of the Deer Initiative, said: “The fact that only around one-fifth of all UK deer-vehicle collisions occur in Scotland doesn’t mean the risk to drivers here is any lower.

“On the contrary, the risk of deer collisions per driven mile is actually greater in Scotland, as total traffic volumes in England are nine times higher than in Scotland.”

Sinclair Coghill, SNH wildlife management officer, said: “We should all be aware of the risk of deer on the road when we’re driving, especially at this time of year.

“This is becoming more and more of an issue in the Central Belt and around our towns and cities it’s not just a problem on remote Highland roads, as many people think.

“We’d ask motorists to slow down and watch for deer crossing in front of traffic. Be particularly alert if you’re driving near woods where deer can suddenly appear before you have time to brake.

“If you do hit a deer, report it to the police, as the deer may be fatally injured and suffering.”