Reflective neckwear for Dartmoor’s ponies and cows
It's hoped they will help prevent crashes involving animals, which are often fatal
Ponies and cows on Dartmoor are to be given reflective neckbands in the hopes of preventing road accidents and animal deaths.
A successful bid for £6,306 from Vision Zero South West Road Safety Partnership has made it possible to fit the 200 animals with the neckbands, which reflect on both sides and release if the animal gets caught.
The neckbands will make the animals more visible in the headlights of oncoming traffic, alerting drivers to safely slow down.
Cllr Mark Williams of Dartmoor Forest Parish Council says: "The B3212 is the busiest of the two the main roads across Dartmoor and is the arterial route from Plymouth onto the moor and to Princetown and HM Prison Dartmoor.
"The 3.5 mile stretch between Peek Hill and Princetown is unfenced, with a speed limit of 40mph and runs across Walkhampton Common where around 150 cattle and 80 ponies roam freely.
"Collisions involving vehicles hitting animals are unfortunately frequent."
According to the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, there were 116 collisions involving animals on Dartmoor in 2021.
Most of the accidents result in the death of the animal. This has a knock-on affect on the farmers.
Andrew Watson, Head of Recreation and Access at Dartmoor National Park said: "The National Park sees thousands of visitors each year, attracted by the vast open areas of moorland with unfenced roads and grazing livestock.
"The Authority is delighted to be part of this partnership, working to reduce the number of animal deaths and injuries across Dartmoor, and improve road safety for all visitors and residents."
As well as the neckbands, the funding has also been used to install new vehicle activated speed cameras and improved signage to remind drivers to reduce speed and give way to animals.
Mark Williams adds that if the initiative is successful, they aim to roll it out to similar areas with the same issues. They hope the fatal accidents will be halved by 2030.