Introduction: Deer UV Lights
There are an estimated 1.23 million deer vehicle collisions in the US each year. These accidents cost Americans almost $5 billion and are responsible for almost 200 deaths annually.
Because deer see diffently than humans, they are more likely to run at your car after being caught in your headlights because they panic. They are blinded by such high intensity light. By wrapping UV Lights around the front of your car, you allow the deer to see you from much farther away and give them more time to see your car as a threat worth avoiding.
For our FLL Robotics Competition Project, our robotics team (Insert Name Here #22525) has come up with a UV Light Strip design that we feel deer can see better and will help them avoid cars.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Start with a waterproof UV tape light. Make sure to choose one that has adhesive on the back and an adapter connected. We used one like this from Amazon. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CX7019M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Next you will need a 9volt adapter to plug into you car. Make sure it is long enough to fit from your grill all the way through your dashboard and can be plugged into your charging port. We used one like this.
You will also need at least 2 LED 2 pin 3528 connectors to connect your strips on either side where you will cut. We used these.
Step 2: Making the 1st Cut
Take the adapter on the lights and feed it through the grill on the drivers side. Measure the amount of lights you need from that point to the end of your driver's side front bumper, making sure that you don't get too close to your tire. Cut the LED strip there and remove the adhesive backing and attach it to your bumper.
Step 3: Adhering the Lights
Next, measure a section of lights from one end of the bumper to the other again keeping a safe distance from the tires. Cut this section and adhere it just below the first strip. Then measure a section of lights from the adapter that has been fed through the grill over towards the passenger side of the bumper. Cut and adhere this strip level with the first.
Step 4: Connecting the Strips
Next take 2 LED Connectors and connect the top strips to the bottom strips on either side.
Step 5: Wiring the Power Cord
You now want to get into your vehicle with the 9 Volt power adapter. Plug it into the car's charging port and run the wire through a separation in the dashboard toward the engine. The placement of this will differ from car to car.
Step 6: Connect Your Wires
Now connect the light adapter to the power adapter making sure to keep the wires tight enough to not touch the engine. Any slack should be pulled through the dash and rest inside the car.
Step 7: UV Deer Lights
You now have UV lights around your bumper that will enable deer to see you from far away. You have outlined your vehicle to make sure the deer sees how big your car is and hopefully will interpret it as a threat. The more time a deer has to make a decision to stay away, the better.
Step 8: Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to view our innovative solution to the deer-collision problem.
Sincerely,
FLL Team Insert Name Here #22525
7 Comments
Question 2 years ago on Introduction
Hi
I can really use some advice/help and maybe someone to make something for me.
I have someone who needs a uv "blanket" type device. He repairs windshields and sometimes due to weather, it is difficult to cure the material used to repair a crack. What is needed is a uv light device that can go over a windshield with many uv lights facing the windshield.
I saw something here that gave me an idea, then found your deer lights post and thought how fortunate I was finding the solution in that. I had no idea uv lights came in a sticky light strip.
My idea was to attach these strips on a plastic tarp or something else that is thick. It must be portable and water resistant/proof. Neither of us are electricians so connecting these and a power source is beyond our knowledge base. But I LOVED the idea of plugging it into the car itself!
I hope you would be willing to help us on this. There is no problem paying you for your work. If you'd rather not, please contact me, so I can continue to search for a solution that fits our needs. We thank you for considering our offer.
We are located in the western US.
Thank you!
Renee'
aSavinGal@gmail.com
3 years ago
Yes, the deer can see UV light. When the sun is shining they are bathed in it just like we are. They also see headlights and moving objects.
Just because they can see it doesn't mean it will make them get out of the way. Just like those "deer whistles".
Besides, humans will only see the blue from the lights which is illegal in almost every country in the world.
5 years ago
Here in Wisconsin, We're only allowed to have white or amber on the front of a vehicle. Damn shame though.
5 years ago
It's a well known fact that deer control vehicles are much more efficient solution. They're simple to construct too.
Take a surplus Ford Crown Victoria that the police are de-accessioning from their fleet. Remove the radiator and relocate it to the trunk. Run the coolant lines from the engine to the relocated radiators and cut vents in the trunk lid. Add electric fans to evacuate the heat. Then wall off the front fascia from the engine compartment and fill with concrete and rebar reinforcement. When it sets, the DCV is ready for use.
Around twilight, drive the DCV along little used roads where deer are known the congregate. Cruising at a conservative 45-50 mph is recommended. When deer are spotted, accelerate briskly and aim the DCV slightly ahead of the direction the deer is traveling. Apply brakes after contact with deer is made. With practice the DCV operator can service two or even three deer at one time.
An added benefit to a DCV program for deer control is they can be constructed by local students in industrial arts programs at local schools. That allows students to obtain real world experience in the construction and modification of vehicles that will prove invaluable to them in later life.
Also, using local students in drivers education programs to operate the DCVs is yet another option. The surplus deer populations are controlled and reduced. The local students operating them gain valuable experience operating motor vehicles in a practical situations.
It's a winning situation for everyone.
6 years ago
It's good that you "feel" deer can see the UV lights better, but is there any actual evidence that they can?
Reply 6 years ago
What a great question! In short the answer is, yes, there is research showing that deer see UV light better. For our Lego Robotics project, our class interviewed a deer behavorist and he explained all about deer anatomy and behavior. We learned that deer see lower spectrum light the best and they see it much better than humans. Thanks for taking the time to check out our team project!
6 years ago
Clever idea. If you can prevent a collision it would be more than worth the effort.