Attention Grabbing Sign Warns Of 'Suicidal Deer,' Inspired By Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - A sign in Illinois warning drivers about deer crossings is doing its job of catching eyes. The unusual traffic sign on a rural county road in Ford County reads "Suicidal Deer," with an image of a jumping deer.

Button Township Highway Commissioner Ron Hilligoss wanted something that would get people's attention in the rural county where collisions between deer and vehicles are common.

And apparently the idea came from Colorado.

"My nephew sent me a picture of one of these signs out in Colorado about six months ago. He texted it to me, and I thought it was a really good thing because it gets your attention," Hilligoss told the Ford County Record.

Four signs reading 'Suicidal Deer' were purchased and one has been put up. The other three will be installed if the first makes it through being shot at or stolen.

Hilligoss noted that there have been zero accidents involving deer reported thus far in 2016, and the sign seems to be getting the attention it intended.

"If you ask anybody where a deer crossing sign is, they couldn't tell you, but they know where that one is," he said.