Drivers Urged to Slow Down to Avoid Wildlife Collisions

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a perennial problem on eastern Warm Springs Avenue and Highway 21, especially during the winter when deer and elk are congregated on lower winter ranges. In the past, special patrols, in a cooperative effort among the Idaho State Police, the Ada County Sheriff's Deputies and Idaho Fish and Game officers, have slowed drivers and raised awareness of the role of speed in relation to deer-vehicle collisions. Officers work in teams of two, combining a Fish and Game officer with a state trooper or sheriff's deputy. The teams patrol two target areas:

• Highway 21 from Lucky Peak Dam to Hill Top.
• Warm Springs Avenue from Star View road to the Highway 21 junction.

Patrols will coincide with peak deer activity during peak traffic times. Vehicle speeds are checked by ISP troopers and county deputies and violators stopped. Warnings and citations will be issued, depending on the vehicle speed. The speed limit in the Highway 21 target area is 55 mph. The Warm Springs target area has a daytime speed limit of 45 mph and a night time speed limit of 35 mph. The lower night time speed limit was initiated several years ago in an attempt to decrease deer-vehicle collisions. Drivers will be given a flier with information about vehicle-animal collisions and avoidance techniques, with wildlife-related accident statistics.