Deer Related Car Accidents

Now Is Peak Season for Deer Collisions, Motorists Warned

Motorists are being told to watch out for young deer straying across the motorway while driving in the Central Belt.  Government agency Scottish Natural Heritage says deer-vehicle collisions often peak in late April to mid-May, as juvenile deer are out on their own for the first time.

It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 deer-related motor vehicle accidents every year in Scotland, on average causing about 70 human injuries. The economic value of these accidents is £5 million.

Across the UK, it’s estimated there are between 42,000 and 74,000 deer-related motor vehicle accidents a year, resulting in 400 to 700 human injuries and about 20 deaths, with a cost of over £17m.

"The number of deer is increasing in some parts of Scotland, particularly in the Central Belt and around our towns and cities as more green space and woodlands are created. These provide ideal habitats for roe deer, leading to more accidents," says Jamie Hammond, SNH Deer Management Officer.

While collisions with deer are often associated with remote Highland roads, up to 70 percent occur on trunk roads or motorways.

"At this time of the year, we'd caution motorists to slow down and watch for deer crossing in front of traffic. Be particularly alert if you’re driving near to woodland areas 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.”

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), in conjunction with Transport Scotland, are placing warning messages on variable messaging signs on high-risk trunk roads across Scotland from Sunday, May 1 to Sunday, May 15.

The signs are targeted on roads with higher rates of deer-vehicle collisions, such as the M90, A9, A90, M8, M77, A80, M80, A1 and A720, covering areas of the Central Belt around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Cumbernauld, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen. Signs will warn motorists of the high risk of deer on road.

How to avoid hitting a deer

PA Car Accident Lawyers: Erie Injury Attorneys Warn of Spring Deer

PA Car Accident Lawyers: Erie Injury Attorneys Warn of Spring Deer May 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week reminded drivers to be aware of increased deer activity near Pennsylvania roads.  In the spring, deer are active along the roadways where they can find an abundance of fresh grass.  Also, yearling deer are leaving their mothers and traveling to seek new territory.  The increased deer activity near the roads means collisions with deer are inevitable. As Pennsylvania car accident lawyers, we know that the worst deer-related tragedies come not from hitting deer but from recklessly swerving to avoid them.  Motorists who are unprepared for deer on the roads will sometimes swerve into oncoming traffic or off the road and into dtiches and trees.  The results of such reckless avoidance maneuvers sometimes include serious Pennsylvania car accident injuries and even death.      *  Remember that deer are unpredictable.  They will sometimes stop in the middle of the road.  Sometimes they will cross the road and then double back and cross again.  Do not expect the deer to behave rationally.  Slow down.  Stop if the deer stays in the road and blow your horn to encourage it to move.  Don't try to go around the deer. Our advice?  If a deer jumps out in front of you and you have little or no time to react, do not panic!  No one wants to accidentally injure or kill a deer and certainly you don't want to damage your car, but the greatest risk posed by deer is driver reaction.  As unfortunate as a collision with a deer may be, it pales in comparison to the violence and Pennsylvania personal injuries that result from collisions with on-coming traffic, trees and ditches. If you were injured in a car accident in Erie, Warren, Crawford, or Venango Counties, call for a free consultation with one of our experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys.  There are no strings attached to our consultations and, if your injuries keep you from coming to us, we'll come to you.  Call today locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499 or use the on-line inquiry form to your right.  We don't charge a fee in car accident injury cases unless we recovery money for you!

Transactions of the Northeast Section of the Wildlife Society

Transactions of the ... North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference

Leonard Lee Rue III's Way of the Whitetail

Traffic accidents, causes and outcomes

Solving deer problems, how to keep them out of the garden, avoid them on the road, and deal with them anywhere!