Hey, Atlantic City, Where Do You Expect the Turtles to Go?

This time of year along the Jersey shore, there are many signs warning of turtle crossings. But, exactly where are they supposed to go?

This post isn't meant to rag on any city officials, honestly. It's just my genuine curiosity. As I'm driving down White Horse Pike in the Absecon and Atlantic City area, there are many places where terrapins attempt to cross from one side of the bay to the other. The problem is, there are concrete barriers in between them and their destination, and little to no through points for them to reach safety. So the turtles are forced to go back in the direction they came, or just simple be smashed by passing vehicles.

Do the people who put up these 'watch for crossing turtles' legitimately think a turtle will walk down to the nearest crosswalk or traffic life to migrate? It's a ridiculous notion. What's the point in having the signs if there's barely any hope a turtle can cross safely? I'm thinking maybe a small portion of the concrete medium can be chiseled away every couple hundred feet to at least give the darn turtles a fighting chance. That wouldn't really pose a threat to motorists. I notice this same kind of impedance along most shore town causeways, like in North Wildwood and Long Beach Island.

Has the local Marine Mammal Stranding Center ever wondered about turtles crossings like I do? Certainly, conservationists must share my sentiment. Again, I'm really just curious.

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