2 thoughts on “Contacts”

1. Vehicle Deer collision on 05.22.2022 (yesterday) – Driving back on Sunday from Duluth on 05.22.2022, we were in the left lane (the fast lane) of I-35 South on a bright sunny afternoon. It was about 2:30 PM or so. Traffic was moving fast at 70 MPH to 75 MPH to 80 MPH. Somewhere between Barnum and Sandstone, I saw a deer on the shoulder looking directly West towards the other side of the southbound lanes. I was in the front passenger seat. The deer looked like a sprinter that was toeing the starting line. Then the deer launched out of the starting blocks and started to accelerate, running as fast as it could. Immediately I told the driver of the vehicle that I was in, “Lookout for the deer!” while pointing at the deer. The driver of the vehicle that I was in hadn’t seen the deer. The driver of the car that I was in then hit the brakes and slowed enough to avoid a collision with the deer. But the driver of what I think was a small pickup truck in the right lane (the slow lane) also didn’t see the deer and that driver hit the deer. I knew that the deer had been hit when I could see in my peripheral vision, the deer being launched forward, flying through the air about 10 feet above the ground on a trajectory directly over the right lane (the slow lane). The deer likely died on the initial impact with that vehicle. Looking in the rear-view mirror, I could see the vehicle that had collided with the deer pulling off onto the shoulder. The driver that hit the deer likely had a dent in the front of his vehicle. I didn’t feel bad for that driver. I felt bad for the deer. I know that my vision is better than the driver of the car that I was a passenger of (because he didn’t see the deer until I told him) and my vision is better than the driver of the vehicle that hit the deer. There aren’t any excuses for the vehicle that hit the deer. If that driver was paying attention and had the correct vision acuity needed to drive at that speed on a bright sunny day, then that driver would have also seen the deer well in advance and would have also braked to avoid the deer. There are those who shouldn’t be driving 75 MPH on the interstate. I always thought that deer crossed roads at dawn and dusk. This collision was in the middle of the day. There needs to be fences to keep deer off of that freeway.

   Reply

2. As a transportation provider in Minnesota, I operate two vehicles with a part-time driver and I drive full-time. My residence is situated between Big Lake and Zimmerman in Orrock Township. I have observed that many elderly individuals who lack the ability to drive often feel confined due to their inability to afford transportation. The local bus system is severely limited, and only a select few individuals can afford regular transportation. Private companies like mine incur significant expenses due to the mandatory insurance requirements for transporting individuals. Additionally, the costs associated with vehicle ownership, maintenance, and fuel are substantial. I sincerely wish there were a program that would assist companies like mine in providing transportation services to our elderly community.

   On a separate note, elderly individuals enrolled in Medicare also encounter difficulties in obtaining rides to medical appointments. This is primarily because most transportation companies are reluctant to accept Medicare rides due to the inadequate reimbursement provided by Medicare, which barely covers the associated costs. A company also needs a minimum of 5 vehicles to be able to provide rides through MTM. Consequently, the majority of companies refrain from accepting Medicare rides. The situation is indeed quite disheartening.

   Reply