Motorists often swerve to avoid hitting deer such as this Muntjac

The Deer Collisions Project is focusing on hotspots such as Thetford Forest on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and Epping Forest in Essex.

Dave Hooton, a deer liaison officer for East Anglia, said 54 people were hurt and 10 killed in accidents involving deer in the region last year.

He recommends that drivers not take extreme measures to avoid the animals.

Mr Hooton said: "It's frightening really, because a lot of these are avoiding accidents as well; the driver avoids the deer and goes off the road.

'Brake... if you can'

"These things do happen instantly, and the only advice we can give is that you do not swerve.

"Brake if you can brake, but if it means hitting the animal, then unfortunately, that's what you have to do."

Mr Hooton said reflective surfaces have already been installed to shine light back into woodlands in areas where deer are known to cross.