Residents are calling for safety measures after deer carcasses were spotted lining the highway near Benbrook.
BENBROOK, Texas — Benbrook residents worry a surge in development in Tarrant County is creating hazardous conditions for drivers as deer carcasses stack up along Ranch to Market Road 2871.
Barbara Greer, who moved to the outskirts of Benbrook more than two decades ago, said the area has changed dramatically since she first arrived.
“At the time there were just 22 houses here,” Greer said. “We knew when we moved out here growth was inevitable.”
Traffic on the road has increased significantly, by Greer’s estimation. The latest sign of development is a new construction project near Interstate 20, just a mile from her home.
Since construction began, Greer has noticed an alarming trend: dead deer littering the roadway and surrounding ditches.
“It’s disturbing,” Greer said, explaining that the carcasses often sit and decay on the roadside. “Last week there were three alone killed. And I’m concerned for the cars that hit them.”
A count along a 1.5-mile stretch of RM 2871 revealed five deer carcasses in various stages of decomposition. Greer is calling for deer crossing signage and possibly a lower speed limit to protect both wildlife and drivers.
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Transportation said residents can request such signage through the agency’s website. The state maintains the road, while the city of Benbrook said the surrounding area falls under county jurisdiction.
Texas Parks and Wildlife acknowledges that development can overrun wildlife habitats but says there is little the agency can do to prevent it.
Greer said she worries about the safety implications for motorists.
“I think there’s people that are aware of the deer that’s missing them and there’s people who are not aware of the deer who are hitting them,” she said. “If they’re trying to avoid one, are they going to go off in a ditch or are they going to hit a car straight on. Of course, it’s sad for the deer too.”