Repair bills mount as deer collisions increase
New data has revealed that the number of deer collisions have increased by a third since 2021, adding to repair costs.
According to AA Accident Assist, 1,054 AA members collided with a deer in 2021 but that number has already increased to 1,419 this year, representing an increase of 34%.
This continues a gradual rise in incidents, with 1,197 deer strikes in 2022 and 1,304 in 2023.
With numbers increasing, The AA is urging all driver to report deer collisions and sightings of dead dear on the Deer Aware website.
A costly experience
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “As well as the emotional stress, hitting a deer is a costly experience. 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.
“While you are not required to report a collision with deer to the police, we would encourage people to do so, as well as the relevant highways authority so the deer can be helped and cleared. 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.”
