Help prevent road kill

Thanks to The Spokesman-Review for the superb March 3 Outdoors article, “Salvaging success.” Data from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game lists 31,000 records of road kill in the state.

With the proliferation of deer, elk, moose and bears, roadkill all too often becomes people-kill. Such accidents deserve remedial action by government agencies that manage roadways. As an example, I-90 in the Western states provides hiding places adjacent to the roadway that make it impossible to see approaching big game. Thick stands of trees and tall undergrowth are in some places within 15 feet of the pavement; big game is not visible.

A common sense approach would be to remove undergrowth and thin or remove trees so big game could be seen and drivers would be able to avoid collisions. Government experts would establish zones of visibility to an appropriate depth. Attentive drivers would then be able to avoid collisions, and, with a bit of luck, an inattentive tailgater wouldn’t rear-end their vehicle when they hit their brakes.

Bob Launhardt

Pinehurst, Idaho