Dartmoor ponies and cows to wear reflective bands to cut crashes - BBC News

2022-09-24 04:55:44 By : Ms. XIE NINA

Hundreds of animals on Dartmoor will wear reflective neckbands in a bid to cut the number being hit by vehicles.

Eighty Dartmoor ponies and 150 cows that roam next to an unfenced main road across the moor will wear the bands.

In 2021, more than 100 crashes on Dartmoor left animals killed or injured.

Karla McKechnie, livestock protection officer, said the "unfenced roads become death traps unless motorists are animal aware".

"I am sickened and saddened by the high number of collisions I attend involving dead and dying animals," she added.

More than £6,300 worth of funding for the project has come from Vision Zero South West, a road safety partnership, in response to a bid from Dartmoor Forest Parish Council.

Councillor Mark Williams said: "The B3212 is the busiest of the two the main roads across Dartmoor and is the arterial route from Plymouth on to the moor and to Princetown and HM Prison Dartmoor.

"The 3.5-mile (5.6km) stretch between Peek Hill and Princetown is unfenced, with a speed limit of 40mph (64km/h) and runs across Walkhampton Common, where around 150 cattle and 80 ponies roam freely."

He said that in 2021 the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society recorded 117 crashes that involved animals being hit by vehicles.

"Most result in the death of the animal and heavy damage to the vehicle involved. Some also result in injury to drivers and passengers," he said.

As well as the neckbands, the funding has been used to install a speed sign below Leedon Tor, on the road from Princetown, to alert drivers to slow down.

Mr Williams added: "These neckbands have proved successful in their use in the New Forest.

"If this initiative proves successful the aim is to roll out similar measures on other key routes across the moor, should additional funding become available."

Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

Pony warnings to be included in Highway Code

Neon pony paint 'could save hundreds'

13 of Devon's worst drivers in court: Boy racers, cop chases and dangerous motorists

Jeremy Clarkson's ex-lover Phillipa Sage spills on 'rollercoaster' life with Top Gear star as she moves to Devon

Plymouth Funeral Notices: Heartfelt tributes to 27 lost loved ones

Plymouth court list: Dismal driving, disturbing stalkers and emergency worker attackers

Budleigh author Dame Hilary Mantel dies aged 70

Warning to East Devon residents over scam texts claiming to be from EDDC

Soldiers go door-to-door for votes in 'referendums'

US to ease internet curbs for Iranians amid unrest

What's going on with Iran and the internet?

Undercover with Russia’s fake arms dealers

Subway stalker murder sparks fury in Seoul

Aboriginal Australians: 'Could the Queen have done more?'

Kashmir's famed nomadic tribes living in misery

John Legend on grief, Kanye and being stereotyped

What's going on with Iran and the internet?

Kate Middleton to Catherine, Princess of Wales

Queen's funeral: 'The British march, Ghanaians dance'

The greatest conspiracy in ancient sculpture

Why Hollywood failed Generation Z

What's the right age to get a phone?

The number one soft skill to hone

© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.