Wildlife

Wild Deer Vehicle Collision Welfare

Deer-vehicle collisions cause significant suffering and kill tens of thousands of deer annually in the UK, with prevention and response welfare priorities.

Key Facts

An estimated 74,000 deer are killed on UK roads annually
Peak collision periods are April-May and October-November
Most deer struck by vehicles suffer injuries rather than instant death
Warning signs and roadside fencing reduce collision rates significantly
Safe stopping distances at dawn and dusk are the primary driver prevention

Welfare Considerations

Injured deer suffer greatly after road collisions. Many are not found immediately and die slowly from injuries. Public awareness of how to report injured deer, contact details for wildlife services, and knowledge that injured deer should never be approached by untrained members of the public are welfare priorities.

What You Can Do

Report injured deer to the police who can contact wildlife services
Learn deer collision hot-spots in your area and drive accordingly
Support deer-vehicle collision data collection for engineering prioritisation