Two New Forest animals killed and two speeders ticketed as police and partners crackdown Operation Mountie marks third anniversary
TWO New Forest animals were hit and killed before two speeding drivers were ticketed on the third anniversary of a multi-agency crackdown on both.
Police and partners, including Forestry England, New Forest District Council, New Forest National Park Authority and campaign group New Forest Roads Awareness, carried out the enforcement last Thursday morning.
This was part of the ongoing Operation Mountie initiative, which aims to reduce speeding and animal deaths across the Forest.
An online police post said: “Sadly the day started with the news that two animals had been killed overnight – a pony on the main road out of Beaulieu towards Hatchet pond and a donkey opposite the entrance to Hatchet Moor car park just around the corner.”
The team stationed themselves at the site of the deaths and at Kings Hat, stopping five vehicles which exceeded the 40mph limit.
The tickets were issued to drivers clocked at 61mph and 52mph, with the other three spoken to by the partners.
The post continued: “The good news is that the majority of drivers did adjust their speeds and drove according to the conditions, so thank you.”
A spokesperson from New Forest Roads Awareness said: “On a night like tonight where the roads are icing over even more we want to remind people that 40mph is the speed limit, not the driving speed.
“To make sure everyone gets to their destinations please drive to the conditions.”
Responding to arguments from the public that the 61mph speeder should be disqualified, the group pointed out partners were “bound by road traffic offence guidelines”.
During the previous week, the police safety camera van had been stationed on two of the Forest’s busiest roads.
On the Stoney Cross to Emery Down road, 10 vehicles were clocked over the 40mph limit, with 55mph the highest.
On the main road through Bramshaw, 17 drivers were recorded above the limit.
The police post added: “As a team we will continue to use Op Mountie to make New Forest roads safer and as always we need your help – please continue to take extra care when using our unique roads in the Forest.”
