High risk of roe deer on the roads

23 May 2025

A road safety campaign has been launched to warn drivers to look out for roe deer on the roads.

Collisions between deer and vehicles typically increase at this time of year as young roe deer spread out to look for their own territories, with dusk the period of highest risk.

NatureScot’s spring road safety campaign gets underway today (Friday, May 23) with Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland. 

Alerts on electronic variable message signs (VMS) will remind drivers of the risk of deer on the road until June 13.

Electronic messaging is being used in areas where there is an increased risk of a collision – many of which are in the central belt.

Dominic Sargent, NatureScot Deer Policy Officer, said: “According to the data, there are almost 2,000 recorded collisions between vehicles and deer across Scotland each year, and many more will go unreported. 

“In urban and sub-urban areas, roe deer live close to people and transport routes, and high-risk areas for incidents include road junctions and major interchanges, some of which have areas of woodland and scrub nearby where roe deer can shelter, feed and even have their young. 

“This campaign will remind drivers in these areas to be alert and slow down to help reduce the likelihood of collisions. We’re also continuing to explore what more can be done to mitigate the risk, including through local deer management plans.”

Angus Corby, Transport Scotland Landscape and Biodiversity Manager, said: “Reducing the risk of deer-vehicle-collisions across Scotland’s Trunk Road Network is a real challenge, and Transport Scotland is pleased to continue our important partnership with NatureScot to tackle the issue.

“We are working closely together to establish and maintain a picture of the high-risk areas across the country, so we can focus our mitigation efforts and make them as effective as possible, both for road-user safety as well as the welfare of the deer.”

Background

The top 10 areas for collisions according to the data are:

• A78 - East of Eglington Interchange
• A78 - North of Warrix Interchange
• A82 - Renton Junction
• A9 - Dunblane West Junction
• A9 - North of Navidale Roundabout
• M8 - North and West of Livingston Interchange
• M8/A898 - Craigton Interchange
• M823/M90 - Pitreavie Interchange
• M9 - East of Pirnhall Interchange (South)
• M90 - North of Muirmont Interchange

Tips for driving safely:

• Particularly in peak times, slow down and watch for deer crossing roads. Be aware that if you're driving near woods, deer can suddenly appear leaving very little time to for you to react.
• Try not to swerve to avoid hitting a deer. A collision into oncoming traffic could be even worse.
• Only brake sharply and stop if there is no danger of being hit by following traffic. However, try to come to a stop as far away from the deer as possible to allow it/them to leave the roadside without panic, and use your hazard warning lights.
• After dark, use full-beams when there is no oncoming traffic, as this will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and give you more time to react. But dim your headlights when you see a deer or other animal on the road so you don’t startle it, and slow down.
• Report any deer vehicle collisions to the police. They can contact a local person who can best help with an injured deer or arrange removal of a carcass from the carriageway. Even if you’re uninjured and your car isn’t damaged, the deer may be fatally injured and suffering. Do not approach an injured deer yourself – it may be dangerous.