The problem: From our experience, the immediate area where county roads 20 and 31 (the old Bath and Hartland roads) intersect has the highest incident of deer crossing the road than any spot on the heavily traveled County Road 20 from the Albert Lea city line to the Waseca County line. In the half mile north and half mile south of that intersection, deer-vehicle collisions occur with great regularity.

Traffic has increased exponentially since the Minnesota Highway 13 construction project, and vehicular traffic became rerouted. Road 20 is a popular motorcycle road. This toxic brew is a sure-fire formula for people injury and/or fatality; it’s just a matter of time and circumstance.

Partial remedy: Reduce vehicle speed and alert drivers (not a panacea, but should provide amble warning and mitigate the problem).

Living in the “ground zero” area and witnessing deer-vehicle collisions (some reported, and some not, because as many killed deer are loaded in trunks and pickups and hauled away as are called in), I called Colleen at the Freeborn County Highway Department. Sue Miller, the engineer, was away, and I reported the above to her, pleading for a couple of deer crossing signs to be posted as a warning through this immediate area; she promised to carry my message forward and let me know the outcome.

After two days, I called the Freeborn County Highway Department again, reviewed my plea and was again promised a return call. Curt Rebelein, Freeborn County Highway Department maintenance supervisor, returned my call, was quite familiar with this area and the deer problem, was highly sympathetic, but, in a nutshell, said there would be no signs posted.

Curt said state and federal officials researched deer crossing signs and determined that they made no difference, because drivers paid no attention to them. Moreover, the state partners with the county, and a new state mandate regarding “signage reflectivity” is coming into effect next year, and it is likely that all such deer crossing signs, including “Children At Play” signs, etc. will be removed.

Well, my heart sunk. Curt was nice, but offered no solution. I am far from being an alarmist; however, I submit that the problem will persist, with injuries and fatalities a near certainty; it’s just a matter of time. I invite anyone out there to join with me in writing to the state of Minnesota to see what it has to say.

My wife, Jackie, and I slow our car to 30 mph while driving through the identified area; most drive their cars, trucks, and motorcycles at or above the speed limit. Night driving is the most dangerous, of course. Deer are frequently present, as is the worry of when, not if the next accident will occur. Doing nothing is not the answer!

Don Schuneman

Hartland