Calling into the Y94 Morning Playhouse radio show, Fargo-area resident “Donna” aired her frustrations about a number of deer-related car accidents she has been involved in recently – three to be exact.
Donna believes the North Dakota and Minnesota Departments of Transportation are responsible for the problem, however, she told the radio hosts that she has written local news outlets about her grievance and they refuse to take her seriously. It’s extremely frustrating to Donna as she believes she has crafted a very simple and effective solution to her problem.
Well, let’s allow her to explain in her own words:
“My frustration is that, Minnesota and North Dakota Departments of Transportation would allow these deer crossing in such high traffic areas. I mean, I’ve even seen them on the interstate,” Donna began.
“Why are we encouraging deer to cross at the interstate? I don’t get it,” Donna said to two stunned radio hosts.
We don’t get it either.
But it get’s worse. As she goes on, one has to wonder — Can this lady possibly be serious?
“I mean, I understand that deers are animals and they need to travel across the streets occasionally to survive and of course to find food but it seems to me… so irresponsible of us to allow these deer crossings to be in areas where these deer are so likely to be struck by oncoming traffic. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Um…” one of the speechless hosts says, followed by a long awkward pause. “You know, deer crossings aren‘t telling deer that it’s safe to cross there, it‘s just more of an alert for drivers so that they know it’s a high deer population.”
Even after this, “Donna the deer lady” still doesn’t understand. So they try again.
“You seem to be under the misunderstanding that the deer are somehow attracted to the deer crossing signs,” another radio host explained.
“Well, yeah, the deer crossing sign is there to allow the deer to know that’s where they need to cross,” Donna said.
“Right,” he replied sarcastically.
The solution, Donna explained, is to move the deer crossing signs to “lower traffic areas” with slower speed limits.
After they realized Donna the deer lady was a lost cause on this issue, they promised to help her spread the word and raise awareness about the pervasive societal problem.
They certainly kept their promise to spread the word — the clip has since gone, as Gawker puts it, “ultra-viral.”
This is my contribution to today's funnies. I laughed my ass off.
Thanks for this. Omg.
A friend of mine is headed to Fargo this month to visit family, and she was thinking of putting up Elephant Crossing signs, to see if she could freak out Donna even more.
( but couldn't you change the name "Donna" in the story. No it isn't me!)
Holder to investigate....Holder
- Carpy
on Oct. 13, 2012 at 8:01 AM