There has been a sharp rise in the number of fatal road accidents involving animals according to the latest figures released by the Department for Transport.
The DfT said eight people were killed last year, compared with one in 2010 and six during the year before.
Details of the accidents, which took place in rural areas, are sketchy but are believed to have involved deer or sheep.
“We have pointed out that these animals do cover large areas of the country,” said Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety.
“If you hit them, you should not assume that you are going to escape scot-free.”
Last year fatalities were reported by police in North Yorkshire, Humberside, Warwickshire, Norfok, Thames Valley, Wiltshire, Strathclyde and northern Scotland.
