Scientists warn of increased deer collision risk

Added: (Mon Nov 03 2008)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Scientists warn of increased Deer collision risk to drivers.

Biologists from Microbee warn that this time of the year can lead to a potential problem situation with deer resulting in vehicle collisions.
The deer may have learned that it’s safer to cross roads at certain times. However, they probably are unaware that with the coming of Daylight Saving Time, the pattern of driver movements has suddenly shifted by an hour.

Likewise, the clocks going back can suddenly move many drivers from driving in daylight to driving at dusk. They too aren’t expecting to encounter anything that differs from their normal routine.

So this combination of circumstances can make driving especially dangerous.

Deer are no respecters of human boundaries and are easily capable of leaping over most hedges and fences. This time of the year is their mating season so awareness of what’s happening around them is reduced. The need to mate may override natural caution for them and bring them and drivers into a collision situation.

Microbee suggests that motorists heed all deer-warning signs along the roads. It’s easy to get familiar with a road and discount warnings about problems that don’t often materialise.
Deer travel in groups, so be on the lookout because the first deer you see may be the leader of a group and a second, third or fourth deer may follow, jumping out into your path.

There’s nearly as much danger to you from hitting the deer as from swerving to avoid it.
Deer can weigh a substantial amount and a Fallow buck coming through the windscreen could easily kill the driver.
Likewise, swerving, especially on a damp road covered in wet leaves could lead to a potentially fatal collision with a solid object like a tree.
Deer, as free-roaming wild mammals don’t belong to anyone so it’s not as if a driver can claim on someone’s insurance. At the very least, a collision is likely to cost hundreds of pounds in repairs.
The answer is to reduce speed and stay alert.

It is estimated that there are between 40000 and 70000 collisions between vehicles and deer annually in the UK. These result in several hundred human injuries and several hundred fatalities. (http://www.deercollisions.co.uk/)

About Microbee Environmental Services
Scientists at Microbee study population changes and movements in a number of mammal species as part of an environmental management business. They also carry our deer surveys and give advice to landowners on managing deer movements. Sister companies do everything from tree management to pest control.

Contact:
0208 540 9968
admin@microbee.co.uk
www.deer-britain.com