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IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s leading road safety charity is providing its support to Scotland TranServ’s Drive Deer Aware campaign.

During October and November large adult male deer (red deer, fallow and sika), challenge each other for breeding rights, during the rutting season.

Deer are particularly active around sunrise and sunset which, at this time of year, coincides with the peak commuter time when there are likely to be more vehicles on the road. Their darker winter coats make deer particularly difficult to spot.

Drivers are being asked to be extra vigilant as deer can appear without warning out of the fields and woodland that border much of the region’s trunk road network.

IAM Roadsmart’s Tim Shallcross said:

“Deer are well camouflaged and make use of cover such as trees as a defence against predators. Maximise your vision by using your headlights at dusk and dawn – don’t rely on daytime running lights. Watch for the reflections of your lights in their eyes – two small points of light ahead could be a deer looking at you.

“Deer are social animals – if one crosses the road ahead of you, slow right down because the rest of the herd may be close behind and will follow without looking for traffic. Finally, if deer stop in the road ahead, a single blast of the horn for a couple of seconds will often scare them away, but slow down first. Don’t assume the deer will move and make sure you can stop safely if it doesn’t.”

The charity has provided its top five driving tips:

1. Be extra vigilant where you see ‘deer’ or ‘wild animal’ road signs
2. Use your high-beam headlights (without dazzling other drivers) when it’s dark, but dip them if you see a deer, otherwise it may freeze in your path
3. Don’t over-react or swerve excessively. It’s safer to continue on your normal track rather than swerving or braking hard to try to avoid a deer
4. If you do hit a deer, try to stop somewhere safe
5. Report the accident to the police – they’ll contact the correct authorities who can help the injured deer