SPECIAL acoustic warning devices will be used for the first time in the UK on a stretch of West Somerset road in a pilot scheme aimed at cutting the number of accidents involving the area's renowned red deer. The devices, which will be installed at 50 metre intervals along the A39 between Nether Stowey and Holford, and Kilve and East Quantoxhead from next month, will emit a high frequency sound when triggered by the headlights of passing traffic. Experts hope the 'whistle' sound will startle the deer causing them to stop in their tracks and steer them away from the road. Each year there are around 20 road collisions involving deer on the targeted stretch of road, while nationally there are more than 30,000 deer-related road traffic accidents, resulting in 300 human injuries and at least £13.5 million of damage. Somerset Highways, a partnership between Somerset County Council and highway contractors Atkins, is behind the scheme, which is being rolled out at a time when accidents involving deer are traditionally at their highest. The organisation has been working closely with expert Dr Jochen Langbein who oversees the National Deer Collisions Project on behalf of The Deer Initiative and who lives in West Somerset. Dr Langbein said the high pitched whistle emitted by the warning devices would be able to be heard above the noise of the traffic. "They will only be operational at dusk and in the dark so that the deer do not become over-familiar with the noise. "It is likely that the sound of traffic has become a background noise to the deer and that they cannot judge the direction and speed of its approach." The scheme, which has already had success in parts of Europe, is being linked to parallel trials in Hertfordshire to test the sound devices on muntjac and fallow deer. Highways portfolio holder Cllr Tony Squire said accidents were often caused by a driver swerving to avoid a deer and veering into the path of an on- coming vehicle, causing a major collision which could result in serious injury or even death. "If the deer is hit it is almost certain that it will be killed or need to be put down, which can be extremely upsetting for the motorist. "We are hoping that this innovative system will help to prevent many accidents. "The results will be monitored and if successful it will be rolled out to other parts of the county." Larry Burrows of the county's environment department, said the initiative was a safety-driven project for both deer and motorists. "We hope to not only avoid unnecessary collisions with deer but with other mammals who try to cross the road." l See Kwinty's Comment on Page 4
