State transportation authorities have come up with another unique attempt to reduce collisions between moose and man in Norway. They intend to hang up brightly colored moose antlers along a stretch of accident-prone highway, to get motorists to be more aware of the moose that may be lurking in the bush.
Not all politicians think the plan is a good one. “When I first heard about this, I thought it must be the 1st of April (April Fools’ Day),” said Per Roar Bredvold of the opposition Progress Party. “Does the Transport Minister really think it will improve traffic safety to spend a million kroner on artwork along the road?”
The answer is “yes.” Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa of the Center Party defended her ministry’s plan during question hour at the Parliament on Wednesday, saying that the display of moose antlers is part of an overall traffic safety program. They’ll be hung along state highway 3 in Hedmark County.
Earlier efforts have included spreading artificial blood on the roads, hanging reflectors along highways to scare off wildlife and spraying wolf urine on train tracks to keep moose away.
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