Wildlife

Wild Deer Vehicle Collision Welfare

Road traffic collisions with deer kill or injure tens of thousands of deer annually in the UK, causing significant welfare harm.

Key Facts

An estimated 74,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur annually in the UK
Roe and muntjac deer are most frequently involved due to their abundance
Dusk and dawn are peak collision times when deer are most active
Deer warning signs and vehicle speed reduction reduce collision frequency
Injured deer that escape may die slowly from internal injuries over days

Welfare Considerations

Deer surviving vehicle collisions with internal or limb injuries die slowly in the hours or days after impact. These deaths are distressing and often preventable through reduced vehicle speed in deer-crossing areas. When injured deer are found, prompt reporting to police or a wildlife charity enables humane dispatch.

What You Can Do

Drive carefully at dawn and dusk in areas with deer warning signs
Report injured deer to the police, RSPCA, or British Deer Society
Support road schemes incorporating wildlife fencing and crossing points