Deer-related collisions on Britain’s roads have risen by more than a third in just three years, according to the AA.

It has sparked warnings from motoring and road safety experts as the annual rutting season gets underway, with the chance of incidents reaching a yearly high.

Deer driver

According to new data from AA Accident Assist, members reported hitting 1,419 deer in 2024, compared with 1,054 incidents in 2021 – a 34% increase.

The numbers show a steady upward trend: 1,197 collisions in 2022, rising to 1,304 in 2023, and already more than 1,000 by the end of August this year.

The problem is particularly acute in the autumn months of September to November, when rutting season increases deer movement across roads.

Over the 2021–2024 period, single-vehicle deer collisions during the rut rose by 41%, from 195 in 2021 to 276 this year.

Wild encounters

Deer strikes can have devastating consequences for vehicles, drivers and the animals themselves.

While the majority involve damage to cars, some result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Previous government-commissioned studies have estimated that up to 74,000 deer-related incidents occur across the UK every year, leading to 400 human injuries and several deaths.

Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said the growing number of collisions was cause for concern: “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. Warning signs are there for a reason – deer and other wild animals are unpredictable, so drivers should be especially wary on rural roads.”

He urged drivers to report incidents to both local highways authorities and on the Deer Aware website, which helps build a clearer national picture of high-risk areas.

Deer strike increase

Experts suggest several reasons lie behind the rise.

Expanding deer populations across the UK – including roe, fallow, muntjac and red deer – mean animals are increasingly venturing onto busy roads.

Urban sprawl and new infrastructure have also fragmented habitats, funnelling deer towards crossing points on dual carriageways and A-roads.

Climate change may also play a role, with warmer winters boosting survival rates and encouraging year-round activity.

The rutting season compounds the danger as males roam widely in search of mates, often with little regard for traffic.

According to the AA, driver behaviour is another factor.

Surveys show that around half of motorists ignore deer warning signs, either underestimating the risk or assuming the hazard is rare.

Cautionary advice 

With collisions rising, road safety bodies are stressing the need for caution.

The Deer Initiative and the British Deer Society recommend slowing down in signed areas, using full beam headlights at night (when safe to do so), and being alert to the possibility of multiple animals crossing together.

If a deer is spotted, drivers are advised to brake firmly rather than swerve, as sudden avoidance manoeuvres often result in more serious collisions with oncoming vehicles or roadside objects.

In the event of a strike, motorists should stop in a safe place, switch on hazard lights, and call the police or highways authority if the deer is on the carriageway.

Injured animals should never be approached directly.

Expect the unexpected

Road safety groups argue that more needs to be done to prevent accidents.

Some campaigners have suggested additional fencing or wildlife overpasses in known hotspots, while others emphasise the importance of public awareness campaigns.

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy at IAM RoadSmart, said: “We’ve long known that collisions with animals, particularly deer, pose a hidden but significant risk on rural roads. The increase reported by the AA underlines the importance of paying attention to warning signs and adapting speed to conditions. Drivers must remember: the risk is real.”

The AA says greater use of reporting tools such as Deer Aware will help identify patterns and inform solutions.

Expect te unexpected is the message to motorists.

“One careless moment in deer country can change a journey – or a life – in an instant,” Rankin said.