Action C6: Realization of deterrents, reflectors, luminous sign system and installations of systems to distance the deer.

The traffic accidents involving deer in the period August 2008 - May 2011 in the Province Medio Campidano are 10 but it is certainly underestimated because not all the accidents are reported.  The most affected municipalities are Guspini and Arbus. The seasonal variation of the traffic accidents involving deer shows a pick in the months of September and October.

The reflectors are optical devices able to reduce the accidents provoked by the game.
They will be installed on the paved roads, mounted on the top of the guard-rail at a 70 cm (27.55 in) high above the ground, at a distance of 12-20 m (39.3-65.61ft) from each other on the straights and of 10 m in curves.

At the beginning and at the end of the interested roads, a road sign will take place with lightning led of wild animals crossing. Inside of these road sections the anti-game sign system will be set up: the delineator posts with special reflectors, every 25 m (82,02ft), for a total of 450. The road sections are indicated on the maps. The vehicle headlights, lighting the reflectors, are seen from the deer and they create an optical space of protection; the deer comes to a complete stop or it leaves the area.  The reflectors need to be controlled twice a year, to verify their functionality.

The vegetation thinning (almost 5 m-16.40ft) is a complementary action to the installation of the sign system, it allows maximum visibility of the reflectors; but this action is very expensive (about € 2,88/mq – 2,05£/31 ft²).

In order to increase the drivers’ attention and to reduce road accidents, the sign of system will be supported by public information and road-safety education campaign. To achieve this aim brochures will be published, as well as posters, stickers and all the mass media instruments that can be useful to increase public awareness.