DRIVERS: Critters appreciate lower mph

Driving home Tuesday night on Lancaster Road, I came upon a scene which always breaks my heart: a deer, sitting in the road, still alive, but mortally wounded. Fortunately, good Samaritans were already pulling over to help. The man who hit the deer was just preoccupied with the damage to his car. This is a scene played out almost nightly this time of year on that very road.

Personally, because of that high risk, I prefer to drive below the speed limit after dusk; but that always involves impatient drivers right on my bumper blinding me with their lights in my mirrors. That was the case last night when I came over the rise in the road and had to swerve to avoid hitting the poor wounded deer again; another car was right on my tail.

I have a suggestion. While visiting Aspen, Colo., I noted they have speed limits 10 miles lower after dusk; posted precisely for avoidance of wildlife collisions in areas of high risk. The time saved going a little slower is only a few minutes. If people want to live out in the country, they should be willing to chill out a bit: slow down at night!

DENISE GRAVES

Hayden Lake