RIDGWAY, Pa.—PennDOT officials are hoping to warn motorists about the dangers of elk on the state's north-central highways by using two life-sized silhouettes.

Officials say motorists have been involved in 91 accidents with elk from 2008 to 2012 that either injured someone or immobilized vehicles. Officials say some motorists don't slow down for elk because they apparently don't realize how big—and therefore, how dangerous—the animals can be if they're struck by a vehicle.

That's why PennDOT has erected two steel elk silhouettes outside the District 2 maintenance office in Ridgway.

Motorists can drive their vehicles next to the silhouettes, which tower over most cars. The animals typically weigh 800 to 1,000 pounds.

Pennsylvania's herd now has about 800 elk mostly found in Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk and Potter counties.