8 August 2006
MORE THAN JUST MOOR CARE
A safer driving campaign for Dartmoor
Members of the Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership, including the local highways authorities, have teamed up with the Police Force Motorcycle Wing and Dartmoor National Park Authority to deliver a safer driving campaign.
 | The campaign aims to raise awareness of the potentially fatal consequences of driving too fast on the roads through and approaching Dartmoor, and to remind motorists to drive sensibly, particularly on narrow, twisting roads, which can present unforeseen hazards, such as blind bends or animals and walkers in the road. Dartmoor’s roads attract different types of vehicles travelling at varying speeds, according to the type of journey they are making. This can increase the risk of a collision or conflict between different moorland users. |
In this situation, high speed driving represents a considerable threat to other road users, increased by the existence and often unpredictable behaviour of livestock and wild animals on or near the road.
One particular area of the moor was analysed by the police over a three-year period. The data collected identified that animal movements and collisions are most likely to occur at certain times of the year. This includes the time period between July to September, which coincides with one of the peaks in vehicle traffic using the moor.
Feedback from Dartmoor National Park Authority suggests that the police data collected represents only a proportion of the problem, since animals injured by vehicles are likely to be found, or die, some distance from the collision.
Philip Markham, of Dartmoor National Park Authority said: “We fully endorse and support this campaign. It is important to remember that Dartmoor’s moorland roads are not just used by vehicles. At any time of the year walkers, cyclists and horseriders may be on, or at, the roadside. Moorland roads are also frequented by livestock and wildlife which may react unpredictably if startled”.
Mr Markham went on to say: “The 40 mph speed limit is there for the safety of all road users, including livestock and wildlife. The limit is a maximum and drivers are reminded that they should drive safely within that limit according to the weather, visibility and road conditions."
To caution motorists of driving above the speed limit, Dartmoor National Park Authority, will be erecting interactive warning signs at; Pork Hill (Merrivale), Sharpitor (Walkhampton Common) and Bennett's Cross (Warren House).
The safety of motorcyclists, both on the approaches to Dartmoor and within the moor itself, has also raised concerns. 6 of the 8 fatalities on the A386 in the last 5 years have been bikers, which show this group to be clearly over-represented in the most serious incidents. This is reflected across the whole of Devon with motorcyclists making up only around 1.5% of traffic but over 30% of fatalities.
Moorland riding naturally offers many attractive features and the moor is often used as a route to other areas of Devon and Cornwall for group rides. In order to help bikers organize themselves for safety Devon County Council has published a biker’s guide to Group Riding which will form a central part of this initiative. “Even the most experienced riders have been involved in serious crashes on group ride-outs’’ said Jeremy Phillips, Road Safety Operations Manager for Devon “and it just doesn’t need to be that way. Well organized runs that use some fairly simple techniques can help riders enjoy areas like Dartmoor National Park in safety throughout the season.’’
The Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership will be providing an enforcement presence to remind motorists of the speed limits and safety needs. A spokesman said: “We are keen for the public to use the moor safely. A number of injury collisions on these roads, as a result of vehicles passing at high speeds, have often left residents feeling vulnerable.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1.The Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership is a multi-agency partnership which was launched on October 18 2002.
2.The Partnership is committed to road safety, reducing road casualties and making the regions roads safer for all road users.
3.Since the Partnership’s sites were established, the number of people killed or seriously injured has been cut by 67.5 per cent, on camera routes in Devon and Cornwall.
4.For general information about the Partnership and its work, visit the Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Website (see link below).
5. The provision of the interactive warning signs has been made possible by the generous financial help of the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society (DLPS). For more information on the DLPS telephone Anne Anderson on (01364) 73121.
MORE THAN JUST MOOR CARE
A safer driving campaign for Dartmoor
Photo opportunity - Event 9 August at the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown. Time: From 10 am – 2.30 pm
Advice from the THINK! road safety campaign on rural driving:
•Don't think it's safe to break the speed limit on rural roads just because there is less traffic. There are unforeseen hazards, such as blind bends or animals in the road that could lead to crashes. At slower speeds, you would be able to react to these unforeseen hazards more quickly.
•Take special care when driving at night on rural roads as other drivers' headlights could temporarily blind you.
•You need to adjust your speed and driving according to the weather and road conditions on rural roads, as rain and other hazards are often contributory factors in rural crashes.
•With a clear road ahead you may be tempted to put your foot down. But THINK! before you start to speed on rural roads.
Web site links:
www.dcsafetycameras.org (external link, opens new window)
www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk click on campaigns/slow down/rural speed (external link, opens new window)
Media enquiries:
Tel: 01752 765714
Email: susie.brooks@plymouth.gov.uk
Fax: 01752 765735
For Further Information from Dartmoor National Park Authority
Phil Markham, Principal Planning Officer (Forward Planning and Community)
Tel: (01626) 832093
Return to Dartmoor National Park Authority Partnership Project News Releases
This page last updated 7 June 2006
