MOTORISTS in Scotland are being warned to take extra care due to the increasing threat caused by deer straying on to the country’s roads. Around 10,000 accidents involving deer occur every year in Scotland and the problem is getting worse because their numbers are increasing, particularly in the central belt and around towns and cities as more green space and woodlands are created.

Transport Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are now working to erect warning signs on roads with the highest number of deer-related accidents, which cause an average of 70 human injuries a year. Routes being targeted include the M90, A9, A90, M8, M77, A80, M80, A1 and A720 covering roads in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Cumbernauld, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen.