WarningS are being flashed on trunk roads across Scotland advising accidents involving deer peak at this time of year, with a multi-million pound cost.

It is because young deer are dispersing to look for their own territories. The most recent research shows there are more than 7000 collisions between vehicles and deer every year in Scotland, with an average of 65 resulting in human injuries.

The combined economic value of these accidents, through human injuries and significant damage to vehicles is £7 million. Across the UK, in a typical year there can be 74,000 deer-vehicle accidents, resulting in 700 human injuries and 15 deaths, at a cost of some £47m.

The areas with the greatest numbers of urban-area deer-vehicle collisions are centred on Glasgow and Aberdeen - it is not just a problem on Highland roads, as many people think.