Cattle warning for Minchinhampton drivers (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cattle warning for Minchinhampton drivers

12:31pm Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Cotswolds news By Ian Craig

DRIVERS around Minchinhampton and Rodborough commons are being urged to take special care on Saturday morning as a herd of nearly 400 cattle are set to be released.

Warning boards will be in place around the commons on the morning of May 12 to warn drivers of the dangers, and also of the 40mph speed limit.

Driver training manager Garry Handley OBE urged drivers to be careful.

"For several months now motorists may have made journeys on the roads that criss-cross the commons seeing only the occasional golfer, horse and other wildlife, but from May 12 they must be observant and look out for the cattle, and exercise some common sense,” he said.

"When a car collides with a cow, it's not always the cow that comes of worst, so it must be a case of speeds down and observation up."

Inspector Jason Keates from Gloucestershire police’s roads policing unit echoed Mr Handley’s words.

"Where animals and traffic mix there is always the potential for collisions,” he said.

"Hitting a cow would be like hitting a brick wall – it is just these brick walls have legs and can move out into the road.

"Keep your speed low and drive to an appropriate speed for the conditions."