Drivers are being warned about a significant increase in deer strikes at this time of year, with motorists potentially facing a heavy emotional and financial toll.
New data from AA Accident Assist shows that the number of deer collisions has increased by more than one-third since 2021.
A total of 1,419 deer were hit by AA members in 2024, compared to 1,054 in 2021, with experts warning that this year could set concerning new heights.
The number of deer collisions has increased by more than 100 every year, with the end of August this year already seeing more than 1,000 incidents.
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The AA also highlighted how the annual rutting season runs between September and November, prompting concerns that the number of deer strikes could continue to increase in the final months of the year.
Data shows deer strikes between September 14 and November 13 every year are also increasing. In 2021, there were 195 deer strikes recorded between the two time periods.
This increased to 222 in 2022, 242 in 2023, and 276 in 2024, suggesting that the rutting season this year could increase to around 300.
The AA is calling on drivers to be wary of deer when driving, especially on rural roads. Previous data indicates that around half of motorists ignore deer warning signs.
Drivers travelling in rural areas should be aware of deer strikes in the winter months
|GETTY
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, urged drivers to be careful, adding that hitting a deer can have a huge emotional and financial impact on people.
The expert continued, saying: "Even a low-speed collision can result in hundreds of pounds worth of damage to a vehicle.
"It's also a timely reminder that warning signs are there for a reason. Deer and other wild animals are unpredictable, so drivers should be wary of coming across them, especially on rural roads."
It is not a legal requirement to report a collision with a deer to the police, although the AA suggests that people should do so.
Drivers are urged to report any deer sightings near carriageways to the relevant authorities
|DEER AWARE
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Mr Rankin added that motorists who have struck a deer should inform the relevant highways authority to ensure it is helped and cleared.
The AA is encouraging all motorists to report deer crashes and sightings of dead deer on the Deer Aware website, which asks simple questions about the incident.
Staggering data from the RCPCA shows that around 75,000 deer are involved in vehicle collisions annually, with 10,000 killed. The AA data is made up of AA members only.
Deer collisions can also have a devastating impact on motorists, with between 10 and 20 fatalities per year, in addition to an estimated 450 serious injuries.
Around half of drivers do not take notice of the 'wild animals' sign
|GOV.UK
Research from the British Deer Society also shows that a deer is hit by a car every seven minutes in England alone.
Motorists are encouraged to inform the local police and highways authority if a deer is on, or even near, the carriageway to prevent further incidents.
"Similarly, people should report on the Deer Aware website, so we can better understand where deer collisions happen, and try to create ways to avoid future incidents," Mr Rankin added.