Deer rutting season, drivers warned to stay alert
GEM Motoring Assist is reiterating its calls for drivers to “take extra care” during deer rutting season. In the autumn, deer are “more mobile than usual,” the road safety organisation said, “increasing the likelihood of collisions as they cross roads.”
Periods of highest activity during deer rutting season occur at dawn and dusk, often coinciding with the morning and evening rush hours. “This makes from now to December a particularly high-risk period in areas where deer are found,” it said.
Data shows that around 75,000 deer are involved in vehicle collisions every year with around 10,000 killed instantly. Human fatalities show an average of 10 to 20 annually, and industry figures showing that repairs to damaged vehicles cost at least £11 million per year.
“The coming weeks will see the highest risks in areas where deer are found,” GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst says. “We urge drivers to heed the warning signs and be alert and observant, especially at dawn and dusk. Expert advice tells us not to veer for a deer that’s directly in front of us on the road. This is because a sudden change of direction at speed can lead to far more serious consequences, including collisions with other vehicles or roadside obstacles.”
GEM offers the following advice to stay safe during the deer rutting season:
- Take note of animal warning signs and reduce speed in these areas. Be extra watchful at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active.
- Where you see one deer, expect others to follow – don’t speed up until you’re certain the road is clear.
- Always be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear ahead.
- Avoid swerving sharply to miss an animal, as this can cause far more serious collisions than a direct hit.
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