 Roadshow: Do deer whistles work?BAY AREA NEWS GROUP Posted: 10/26/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT
Q: Has anyone hit a deer or moose since they installed a deer whistle? I live in deer country and have seen the whistle at work. Prior to installing one, I exploded a buck on Interstate 280 to the tune of $9,000 in damage to my vehicle and DOA for the deer. A $5 deer whistle is cheap insurance for both of us. "... Since 1998 I've counted over 150 dead deer on Niles Canyon Road, and I am sure there have been many more. So I bought some little deer warning sirens that stick onto the front bumper of my car. They really work. I have never hit one. Please pass this on. Jack Moore and Dave Zadwick A: But "... Q: When I switched from driving a patrol car to riding a motorcycle up on Highway 17, I was concerned about the deer, considering how many I have dragged out of the roadway in my career. So I installed deer whistles on my CHP motorcycle. I rode out confident I would send the deer running for the hills whenever I passed by. Much to my surprise, the deer didn't even raise their collective heads while grazing along the side of the road. I would speed up, slow down, rev my engine, honk my horn, blow my siren. Nothing. Not a casual gaze or anything. However, if I stopped next to them, then they all raised their heads to see what I was up to. From my experience, deer whistles are a waste of money. Dave-the-CHP-Man
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A: Do these whistles work? They supposedly produce ultrasonic frequencies and/or audible sounds from the wind rushing through them, sounds that are supposed to scare deer, elk, moose and dogs out of the path of oncoming vehicles. But according to a Washington State University analysis, they don't work. The report looked at an Ohio State Highway Patrol test that found that more accidents were reported after whistles were installed on their cars than before for the same period of time and stretches of highway. Tests conducted in Utah, Georgia and Wisconsin also concluded that whistles don't work, the WSU study said. The author's conclusion: "Until there is some solid evidence, other than personal testimonials, that deer whistles are effective, keep your money in your pocket." Q: I read your column every day. My only regret is that you drive a Prius. Buy a Buick the next time — an American car, please. Virginia Taylor San Jose A: Does this help? I have a Ford Windstar that the Roadshow retrievers and I use when scouting traffic issues. Anything else? Q: That being off my chest, I have a question: What are these little yellow signs close to the ground on our roads that have four letters, two on top and two underneath, and say "FO PB"? Virginia Taylor A: The signs stand for Fiber-Optic Pull Box and are for marking the boxes and underground conduits that hold fiber-optic cables in unpaved dirt areas They provide video feeds of traffic at intersections back to a control center. Go to www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rda to view these feeds of county expressways. Q: I know the governor's wife is not exempt from the hands-free cell phone law, but are Caltrans workers exempt? I saw one guy in a Caltrans truck using his phone in Santa Clara the other day. Arturo Flores Los Banos A: State road workers are not exempt. Q: Two recent mornings I was pelted with loose stones on Interstate 680 between the two Mission Boulevard exits where they are repaving the freeway. Is Caltrans going to clean this up or will they be paying for all the cracked windshields that are bound to happen? Kathy Thomas A: The contractor should sweep the road each night but too often leaves loose gravel behind. Go to www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/claim.htm to file a damage claim. Q: At the bottom of the ramp from northbound Highway 85 to Santa Teresa Boulevard, there is a "No Right Turn" sign. Why? I believe a "No Right Turn On Red" sign would make sense, but a total ban on right turns serves no purpose. A little compassion, maybe? Bill Langlois A: Compassion you get. Your plea prompted Caltrans to look at this and the state says there is no reason to ban right turns. The sign will be removed shortly. Q: When I drive by the Campbell light-rail station around 7 a.m., the putrid smell of sewage lies heavily in the air for about one block. What's up with that? John Dunse San Jose A: Here's one possibility: A nearby coffee shop grinds its coffee beans in the morning, leaving a smell like burning rubber, says Matt-the-Campbell-Engineer. Reach Gary Richards at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or (408) 920-5335. | 
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