Special to the Bugle
ELKO - The Nevada Departments of Transportation and Wildlife and the Nevada Highway Patrol are reminding motorists to drive safely in wildlife-prone areas with the upcoming fall animal migration.
Motorists are reminded to drive carefully in wildlife-prone areas, looking for deer/elk crossing signs and scanning the road ahead for potential wildlife.
"Fall deer migration in Nevada usually begins in early or mid October, depending on weather," Nevada Department of Wildlife Public Information Officer Joe Doucette explained. "Deer often cross Interstate 80 and U.S. 93 in the northeastern part of the state, as well as other areas."
In a recent five year span, there were nearly 2,500 reported vehicle-animal collisions across Nevada, including approximately 1,300 involving deer. Research estimates that more than 50 percent of such collisions go unreported, pointing to a potentially higher number of animal-related incidents.
NDOT and NDOW have jointly installed five safety crossings on U.S. 93 north of Wells. The two overpasses and three underpasses are designed to reduce the chance of collisions caused as deer and other large animals migrate across U.S. 93. Deer fencing is installed on both sides of the crossings to help direct animals to cross at the designated overpasses and underpasses. Research conducted by the University of Nevada, Reno shows that, using the safety crossings, more than 26,000 mule deer have been kept off the road and away from potential collisions with vehicles. Another crossing is being constructed on I-80's Silver Zone Pass between Oasis and West Wendover.
"There's really only one traffic safety goal that is right for each Nevada driver and their family, and that is zero fatalities," NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon explained. "We install road safety measures such as these wildlife crossings to increase safety, but the most important way to reach zero fatalities for yourself and your family is to always focus on the road and drive safely."
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