Some initial hints for drivers to reduce risk of deer vehicle collisions:

• Do take note of deer warning signs, by driving with caution at or below the posted speed limit. Such signs really are positioned only where animal crossing are likely.

• Peaks in deer related traffic collisions occur October through December, followed by May. Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight followed by the hours shortly before and after sunrise.

• Be aware that further deer may well cross after the ones you have noticed.

• After dark, do use full-beams when there is no opposing traffic. The headlight beam will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and provide greater driver reaction time. BUT, when a deer or other animal is noted on the road, dim your headlights as animals startled by the beam may ‘freeze’ rather than leaving the road.

• Don't overswerve to avoid hitting a deer. If a collision with the animal seems inevitable, then hit it while maintaining full control of your car. The alternative of swerving into oncoming traffic or a ditch could be even worse. An exception here may be motorcyclists, who are at particular risk when in direct collisions with animals.

• Only break sharply and stop if there is no danger of being hit by following traffic. Try to come to a stop as far in front of the animals as possible to enable it to leave the roadside without panic.

• Report any deer-vehicle collisions to the police (who should be able to contact the local person best placed to assist with an injured deer at the roadside)

• Finally, remember to .. WATCH OUT FOR WILDLIFE

Latest videos above ©Jochen Langbein

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Also check out the earlier clips below. All filmed on roads in South of England

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November 05, 2006, Views: >25,000 times

November 06, 2006 Views > : 30,400 times

A) COLLISION CAUSE - Article by Jochen Langbein and Rory Putman examining a range of measures designed to reduce deer related accidents, [ DEER magazine (2006)Vol .13(10), p.19-23]: to download pdf copy click here.

B) Literature review and report commissioned by the Deer Commission for Scotland: R.J. Putman, J. Langbein and B.W.Staines (2004) 'DEER AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: A REVIEW OF MITIGATION MEASURES - COSTS AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS'. To download a copy of this report in .doc format ( 650kb) click here .