PORTLAND, Maine — Maine motorists are familiar with moose and deer crossing signs. In a few southern Maine towns, the state will be installing turtle crossing signs.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy say the road signs aim to warn motorists of endangered turtle road crossing locations in Wells, South Berwick and York with the hope of reducing road deaths of two of the state’s rarest species.
Spotted and Blanding’s turtles are both protected under Maine’s Endangered Species Act, and late May to early July is the time when females undertake risky overland forays to reach nesting areas.
MDIF&W asks motorists encountering roadside turtle signs reduce their speed and increase their vigilance for potential road-crossing turtles.
too bad those signs have absolutely no effect on driver behavior
Well, I’d rather see Turtle Crossing signs than those silly Evacuation Route signs.
The evacuation signs that lead to where, the unknown? I’ve been wondering that since they were put up.
Wouldn’t cost any extra to add a frog and a salamander to the sign. They, too, are far too frequent victims of cavalier driving.
could the stat save money by making signs that say ” LOOK OUT FOR THINGS IN THE ROAD” that would cover alot.
This is absolutely ridiculous–is someone going to sit and wait while the turtle crosses the road? Probably not. Maybe it can urge a hare to run a race.
If I have slowed down in the indicated area and I see a turtle in the road, you’re goddamn right I’ll stop and wait. Maybe I’ll even urge the turtle to the other side, rather than driving right over it like so many people seem to have a habit of doing.
I think this is a wonderful thing that the state is doing, and I personally do read and pay attention to these types of signs, and always slow down and watch for wildlife, the same as I do when I see a sign warning of the possibility of deer and moose in the road.
At least turtles are being recognized. GO FRANKLIN!! :)