Deer-Crossing Signs May Soon be Rare in Minnesota

CHASKA, Minn. (AP) - State and county officials have begun phasing out traffic signs such as "Deer Crossing" and "Slow, Children at Play." They say there's no evidence the signs cause drivers to slow down, and could give parents a false sense of security.

A report says officials in Carver County have begun following the state's example in taking signs down.

County traffic engineer Kate Miner says the only signs that should be up are useful ones. She says if the roads are cluttered with too many signs, drivers stop noticing them.
 
The Minnesota Department of Transportation published a guide in 2010 that said drivers routinely ignore signs that warn of infrequent conditions such as deer crossings and the danger of falling rocks.