Watch out for animals on the road

As spring approaches, so does the most dangerous time of year for wild animals on Britain’s roads. Around a million creatures are killed on the roads each year, many of them squirrels, hedgehogs, badgers, and foxes. Whilst you may barely notice a small mammal meeting its maker under the wheels of your car, larger animals such as deer present a much bigger danger to drivers. Damage to vehicles as a result of accidents involving deer amounts to a staggering £17 million a year.

Here is some useful advice on how to avoid collisions with deer:

• Pay attention to signs indicating areas where deer are likely to cross and keep your speed down.
• The most likely period of the day to encounter deer is between sunset and midnight and the hours before and after dawn, so be especially careful during these times.
• If you see a deer crossing in front of your vehicles, be aware that more may follow.
• If it is safe to do so, use your headlights on full beam. This not only reflects the deer’s eyes but gives you longer to react.
• If the deer is actually on the road, bear in mind that full beams may actually cause the animal to freeze, so dim your lights.
• If you are in a vehicle other than a motorbike, do not risk ending up in a ditch or in a head-on collision with another vehicle, simply to avoid colliding with the deer. If an accident is inevitable, then it is better to hit it whilst in full control of your vehicle, than swerving wildly in an attempt to avoid it.
• If you are a motorcyclist, you are far more vulnerable to personal injury if in a collision with a large animal, so it may be worth attempting to swerve out of its path.
• Be aware at all times of what traffic is behind you and only brake sharply if it is safe to do so. Leave as much room between the vehicle and the deer as possible, in order that it can get to safety without panicking.
• Report any deer related accidents to the police.