A NEW project which aims to find ways of cutting traffic accidents involving deer has begun with the support of a variety of different organisations.

The Deer Collisions Project is developing a database of traffic accidents involving deer across England and Wales.

There are already nearly 15,000 traffic accidents involving deer listed on the database. And it is estimated that about 11 people are killed and 330 people injured in deer-related traffic accidents in England each year. These accidents are thought to cost the insurance industry up to £10m in payouts every year. There are also welfare issues involved in dealing with deer injured during these accidents humanely.

It is hoped that the data will help slash the number of deer related accidents throughout the country by providing information about their causes. This will also help identify the factors, which can lead to deer being involved in accidents on Britain's roads. It will also examine the design and effectiveness of measures aimed at preventing deer-related accidents.

The project is being supported by a range of different groups, which include the Deer Study and Resource Centre and the Woodland Trust and the Highways Agency with the aim of providing a sustainable, well-managed, deer population across the country.