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Deaths of Salt River horses along Bush Highway lead to new safety measures

Homepage IN THE NEWS Deaths of Salt River horses along Bush Highway lead to new safety measures
IN THE NEWS, UPDATES

Deaths of Salt River horses along Bush Highway lead to new safety measures

May 19, 2018
By Moonbird
0 Comment
3176 Views

Five fatalities of horses being hit by cars since April along Bush Highway, three of them within the past week, have prompted new safety measures to warn drivers.

Several message boards were placed along the highway, cautioning drivers to “slow down” and to “watch for horses,” according to Tracy Ruth, communications-division manager for the Maricopa County Department of Transportation.

Other commitments include working with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to enforce speed limits and painting “watch for horses” signs on the asphalt.

Simone Netherlands, president of Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, a non-profit organization that protects the wild horses, said the Transportation Department committed to short-term and long-term plans to improve safety along Bush Highway.

“We really want to commend them for their fast action,” she said.

A non-profit group urges drivers to slow down alongA non-profit group urges drivers to slow down along Bush Highway. (Photo: Salt River Wild Horse Management Group)

Netherlands said the increase in fatalities may have resulted from the recent addition of guardrails along portions of Bush Highway.

“The horses were getting confused by the guardrails, they kept walking into them,” she said, and were stuck within the confines of the road at times.

Since April, five horses have been killed. Two of the horses had unborn foals. No people have been seriously hurt in the collisions, according to the non-profit group.

Ruth said the county’s Transportation Department has worked with the non-profit group for nearly five years, but immediate action was necessary because “it had become a significant issue.”

Ruth said some of the long-term safety measures may be completed within the next year. These include installing speed “flashback” signs to remind drivers when they exceed speed limits and placing horse-crossing signs.

The county also will work on developing long-term solutions, including radar-triggered flashing lights that are activated when horses are on the road.

Bush Highway cuts across the habitat for the Salt River horses, a herd that has long been the subject of advocacy and debate.

In August 2015, the U.S. Forest Service announced it would round up and remove the herd of about 100 horses that roam near the Salt River Recreation Area. The Forest Service said the horses were causing safety issues, including traffic collisions on the Bush and Beeline highways.

An outcry from animal lovers and politicians halted the planned roundups, and an agreement to protect the free-roaming horses was announced in December 2017.

Under the agreement, the horses are no longer considered stray wildlife and the law makes it illegal to slaughter, harass, shoot, injure or kill the horses.

Republic reporter Jessica Boehm contributed to this article. 


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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

1 day ago

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
Look what we have! Apache's band used to run in the Apache Forest but the ApacheSitgreaves Forest Service got rid of them and sold them at auction without limitation to slaughter, at which we rescued them. #shameonasnf We documented this band in the wild and that's how we were able to find them in different auctions and reunite them again. They are now proud mom and dad of their foal that was conceived in the wild, but born at our Prescott rescue. All horses in the video are part of the band and Apache is standing guard a little ways off. Without your help, we cannot do this work and therefore we thank you for following our page, for donating and for standing up for the Alpine wild horses! Now we have to go feed them and check on baby. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

2 days ago

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
This is why we are outthere warning people that they are still wild horses, and things can change in a second. Please dear visitors, stay 50 ft from the horses at all times, for their well being, and for your own safety! Thank you AZDA for helping to educate the public. Sidenote: Most of the public is great outthere, it's just the fjew, who tend to ruin it for the rest. Thank you to the public who speaks up for the horses also, it's fine if u do, if we all do it kindly. Let this be a warning that it will not be the horses fault if someone gets run over. Sincerely worried, not about the horses but about the public. ... See MoreSee Less

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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

2 days ago

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
For our supporters who live in Chino Valley, the last of our calendars are available at Olson's Grain and they are now only $10!! The pictures are of such quality that many people frame them after the month is over! Thank you to Olson's Grain for their support! We use the credit to purchase feed for our Alpine and Salt River rescues who live in Prescott! Thank you! SRWHMGWe only have 50 calendars left!!! ONLY $10. All proceeds go to Salt River Wild Horse Management Group 🐎🐎🐎Get them while they last at our Chino location ... See MoreSee Less

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Friday, 24, Mar
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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
  • Home
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  • Donate
    • Alpine Wild Horse Fund
    • Sponsor a Horse
    • Jade’s Legacy Fund
    • Bequest Form
    • Supplemental Feed Program
  • Updates
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    • In the News
    • HB2858
  • Info
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    • Wild Horses Have Value
    • History of Wild Horses
    • Horse Viewing Guidelines
    • Protected by AZ State Law
    • How Long Have They Been Here?
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