Safety campaigners slam 'reckless' drivers caught speeding through New Forest in latest road checks

CAMPAIGNERS striving to prevent traffic collisions involving New Forest livestock have hit out at “reckless” motorists caught speeding at up to 63mph by police road checks.

Officers from Hampshire’s Countrywatch team handed out tickets to seven offending drivers as they carried out speed enforcement at Emery Down and on the B3078 Roger Penny Way in Bramshaw on Saturday.

The highest speed clocked during the checks on the 40mph roads was 63mph.

Posting afterwards on Facebook, the New Forest Roads Awareness campaign group described the issuing of tickets as “one of the most effective ways of educating drivers”.

Seeking to reduce the number of incidents killing or injuring Forest ponies, cattle, sheep and pigs, the group warned the animals were being encouraged onto roads by some people feeding them.

“Not everyone is aware of the bylaws so we ask people to keep their distance,” the post said.

Referring to the speeding drivers, it continued: “Approaching a bend at 58mph with the possibility of livestock in the road is reckless.

“This police officer is not only there to help protect our livestock, but to also protect you the driver. Hitting an animal, oncoming vehicle or tree at this speed only ends one way.

“Please respect our Forest and everything within it. It is there for all to enjoy so please stick to the rules.”

With the Covid-19 pandemic preventing community SpeedWatch volunteers from carrying out their own checks across the district, officers went out on the roads to do more on Monday morning.

As well as Roger Penny Way again, these checks covered roads in Beaulieu, Lyndhurst and Copythorne.

The highest offending speeds clocked that morning were 48mph in a 30mph zone and 53mph in a 40mph limit.

“Please slow down,” local police posted on Facebook afterwards.