Deer Aware sign ready to go up.

Poster campaign to protect deer during the dark nights  

An eye-catching poster campaign has been launched to warn motorists to be on the look out for deer as the dark nights draw in.

A total of 15 signs, measuring 4ft by 3ft, have been placed on roads running through and around Cannock Chase which is home to thousands of deer. One hundred smaller 'Deer Aware' posters have also been put up in the area.

Countryside rangers from Staffordshire County Council and The Forestry Commission have been helped by volunteers to get the placards in place and the message is clear - Slow down, watch out and don't let your journey end here.

Deer are more likely to venture towards the roads during the autumn months when it is rutting season and they are looking for a mate.

Friends of Cannock Chase and the British Deer Society are supporting the campaign which is part of a national initiative to protect the animals.

An average of three deer are killed every week on Cannock Chase, but more deaths happen at this time of year.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Environment, urged people to heed the warning: "It is more important than ever to be on the look out for deer during the dark autumn evenings and these posters really bring that message home.

"Motorists should be particularly careful when they are driving through Cannock Chase where the animals sometimes wander into the road, particularly during the rutting season. Too many deer are being killed on our highways and it is our responsibility to drive carefully and to keep an look out for them."

The Deer Aware campaign aims to highlight the frequency of collisions involving the animals wondering onto the road and the danger that they face.  Research has shown that between 42,500 and 74,000 deer are injured in vehicle collisions each year in Britain.

Page Last Modified: 13/11/2009 10:26:13

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