The autumn road hazard behind 77 injuries in Devon and Cornwall

You round a bend on a dark lane and something is standing in the road. It happens in a split second. Over the past five years, it has left dozens of people hurt across Devon and Cornwall.

New figures show animal-related crashes in the Devon and Cornwall police force area led to 77 casualties between 2021 and 2025. And with October and November the peak months for these collisions, drivers around Truro are being asked to take extra care on the roads this autumn.

What the figures show

The analysis, carried out by Volvo Car UK using the Department for Transport’s STATS19 road safety data, picked out police-recorded personal injury collisions where an animal was listed as a hazard on the carriageway.

Across Great Britain it found 1,503 of those collisions over the five years, with 1,939 human casualties.

The Devon and Cornwall force area recorded 63 collisions and 77 casualties in that time. The South West as a whole accounted for 15% of all animal-related collisions nationwide.

The Metropolitan Police area topped the table with 123 collisions, followed by Police Scotland with 96 and Hampshire with 80.

Why autumn is the riskiest time

October and November are when these incidents are most common, and the risk rises on rural routes in particular.

Tom Rothwell, General Manager at Vertu Volvo Truro, said: “Animal-related collisions can happen instantly and often when drivers least expect them. As we head into the darker months, reduced visibility and increased wildlife activity can make driving conditions more challenging.”

What you can do

Tom’s advice comes down to three habits:

• Reduce your speed
• Pay attention to wildlife warning signs
• Stay alert around bends

He said simple steps like these “can make a difference in helping drivers avoid potentially serious accidents.”

Cars that spot animals in the road

Vertu Volvo Truro is using the figures to raise awareness of the risks over the darker months, and of the detection technology fitted to its cars.

Tom said: “To help combat the problem, our vehicles feature tried and tested technology that can detect large animals on or near the road, alert drivers to a potential hazard and, if necessary, automatically intervene.

“At Vertu Volvo Truro, we are passionate about the safety of drivers and would encourage anyone to come along to our showroom and learn about the technology we have to offer and how this can help to grant peace of mind when driving in the darker months.”

For more information, visit Vertu Volvo Truro or call 01872 300653.