Police share excuses from motorists caught speeding in the Forest, between Ipley and Beaulieu
POLICE have shared excuses from some of the motorists caught speeding in a crackdown in the New Forest.
Officers stopped a total of 16 clocked over the 40mph limit on Northgate Lane, between Ipley and Beaulieu, on Wednesday lunchtime – with the six exceeding 50mph.
They were stationed at the King’s Hat Inclosure, with Forestry England, the national park authority and New Forest Roads Awareness.
It was part of Operation Mountie, an initiative to reduce speeding and raise awareness of animal safety on Forest roads.
For the first time since its launch nearly three years ago, this was the first of two back-to-back sessions as local demand sent them to more sites the next day.
This first check saw tickets issued to the six caught driving at over 50mph, with excuses including “I’m in a hurry to pick up my other kids”, and “I’m in a hurry to catch the Isle of Wight ferry”.
One driver told officers “I’m on a day out looking at the ponies and wasn’t paying attention”, and another claimed “I’m a professional driver”.
Another said they were late for a hospital appointment.
The other 10 speeders were given advice.
Posting online afterwards, police said: “If you are a regular driver in the Forest you will know that there are foals, stallions, young donkeys and calves everywhere at the moment, so please stay under the limit and don’t use being late as an excuse.
“Thanks again to everyone who stuck to the limit – thankfully they are in the vast majority.”
Ringwood neighbourhood policing team was asked at a recent Burley council meeting to combat speeding in the village and on its outskirts.
This led the Operation Mountie team to cover Forest Road and Pound Lane, as well as the Forest road to the A35 at Holmsley last Thursday.
They stopped five speeders, with tickets issued to two who exceeded 50mph on a 40mph road.
A police speed camera van on the B3078 Roger Penny Way, between Bramshaw and Fordingbridge, caught 18 drivers flouting the 40mph limit in two hours on Wednesday.
The highest speed was 51mph.
