We laugh at these signs now because in our experience these signs actually mean, “There is no chance at all you’re going to see anything of the sort.” So why do states waste the metal and manpower to erect signs like these? So hunters can have a little target practice? Just about every other sign you see with a “dancing deer” has bullet holes in it. It would be more entertaining for states to put up signs like, “Road Kill next 5 miles” or “Birds” or “Armadillo Crossing”. Granted, if you hit a moose or a large deer doing 65 mph you could get killed, but, other than entertainment value do these signs really help? Let me know your opinion. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
Sunday, October 28, 2007
RVer Entertained By Road Signs
As a long time RVer I’ve crossed the country back and forth and enjoy seeing unusual signs. We frequently see signs that say things like “Elk” or “Deer Crossing” or “Moose next 5 miles”. When I first began driving I would get excited and attentive, thinking I might actually see wildlife. 
We laugh at these signs now because in our experience these signs actually mean, “There is no chance at all you’re going to see anything of the sort.” So why do states waste the metal and manpower to erect signs like these? So hunters can have a little target practice? Just about every other sign you see with a “dancing deer” has bullet holes in it. It would be more entertaining for states to put up signs like, “Road Kill next 5 miles” or “Birds” or “Armadillo Crossing”. Granted, if you hit a moose or a large deer doing 65 mph you could get killed, but, other than entertainment value do these signs really help? Let me know your opinion. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
We laugh at these signs now because in our experience these signs actually mean, “There is no chance at all you’re going to see anything of the sort.” So why do states waste the metal and manpower to erect signs like these? So hunters can have a little target practice? Just about every other sign you see with a “dancing deer” has bullet holes in it. It would be more entertaining for states to put up signs like, “Road Kill next 5 miles” or “Birds” or “Armadillo Crossing”. Granted, if you hit a moose or a large deer doing 65 mph you could get killed, but, other than entertainment value do these signs really help? Let me know your opinion. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
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16 comments:
Perhaps you never see any wildlife because of the time of day you travel. I find these signs useful, especially for evening, early morning or night time driving.
Gene S.
Dear Jim,
Another amazing article!! I was wondering if you ever saw the "Wino" crossing sign ? I saw it somewhere near Albany,Oregon.
Most agencies install these signs due to a higher number of animal-involved accidents in the area.
Onelady requested that the stae move the signs to a safer area where the deer could cross safely.
Dear Jim,
I know deer can be fast, but I have never seen one moving at 65 mph. It would hurt if you were standing still if you were hit by a deer going that fast.
We have a Goose Crossing sign in between Dundas and Hamilton Ontario
I live in an area full of wildlife. The county (or maybe the state) recently put up a "moose next 5 miles" sign after numerous moose-vs-vehicle accidents. Come to think of it, there have been fewer moose along here since the signs went up. Maybe they can read after all.
I've always wondered if the deer, moose, bear, or other animal knew where to cross, or if they could read the signs that pertain to them! Seems like a small area for them to go through, since they are "free range".
If you travel I 94 between Valley City and Fargo, ND, for example, you had better believe those deer crossing signs. We often see carcases lying on the side of the road, blood on the road, and we frequently hear about car/deer accidents. Deer are most active at dusk, and if you hit one, you'll be sorry you weren't paying attention to the signs.
Once, while out for my morning walk in Attica, NY, a deer bounded out of the woods to my left, crossed the road right in front of me, and fled away through the field on my right. Early morning.
Around here, (western Philly suburbs) there could be a sign on every single road, cuz there are deer kills, every single day somewhere in the area. I doubt the signs would do any good though, cuz the drivers are all leadfoots...
The signs are there to warn you of the possibility of wild life, I have had several near misses on my motor cycle that could have been a fatality if not for the signs, because of the signs I was more alert and avoided an accadent, also I use the more expencive deer whislers, AND THEY DO WORK.
The deer and other wild life have crossed those areas for eons of time. They just know where to cross. We call them deer crossings. Don't need any signs to know it is a deer crossing but some people need to know if they are not familiar with the area.
When you are driving down the road and a deer runs into the "side" of your car/rv, that is when you know deer are dumb. With that said, I agree with the "post" above that says the signs are there to make you realize the area you are driving through. On Hwy One, North of Cambria/San Simeon, California we have sea elephants that sometimes come up onto the Hwy. When you hit one of those you both lose.
My Deer readers, I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments. Thank you for taking the time to write, and yes, I did see the "Wino" crossing sign - thanks :) Jim Twamley
We put them up because there has been some bear collisions on this freeway. Now we replace them because of thievery. We had a lady find us and demanded to buy one for her road where she lives.
Employee of the Road
I recently hit an Ohio deer with a fully loade, fully fueled, and fully watered diesel pusher at full speed. After jumping directly in front of the the rig, breaking a windshield destroying the fiberglass front, destroying the dash AC condenser, sending the front wheels in the air, destroying the electrical lines, LP lines, and water lines underneath, hitting my Wrangler with what was left and spraying parts on the car with the brights on left me (who didn't stop)with over $20k in damage. Then the towing company failed to dis-connect the differential and towed it 27 miles. I haven't figured out what I am going to do with that problem. This was all due to the car behind me having his brights on and I could not see out the side window do the his bright lights in my side mirror. I may have seen it come acoss the median if it weren't from the blinding lights. After the deer's encounter with my 36 footer, the 150 pounder was no bigger than a pie pan. It has made for a good story at the office. I think the signe attracted this "slow Buckeye deer"
Go Bucks!
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