A NEW high-profile campaign to reduce animal fatalities on Dartmoor roads this winter has been launched by Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon County Council.

Bad weather, dark mornings and evenings and speeding cars combine to produce potential death traps for the ponies, sheep and cattle which graze free on the moors.

To raise awareness of the danger to animals, high profile messages will be displayed on national park landrovers and gateways to the moor, reminding drivers of the 40mph maximum speed limit.

In addition, a new mobile speed registering device will be used to target known trouble spots.

The devices will be used at three locations ? the B3212 between Yelverton and Princetown, the B3357 between Tavistock and Princetown and the B3212 east of Postbridge.

The device will identify and record the speed of vehicles breaking the speed limit in these areas.

Bill Cann, chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: ?The campaign is aimed at all those who drive on Dartmoor?s roads.

?Whether you are a visitor or live locally, whether you are driving to your place of work or driving delivery vehicles, it is essential that you drive responsibly within the 40 mph speed limit.

?When visibility is poor due to rain, mist or snow, and at night time, you must allow extra time for your journey and reduce your speed.?

Cllr David Morrish, the county environment portfolio holder, said: ?Not only do we have to make motorists understand that speeding is a criminal offence, but it is also an issue that we have to make socially unacceptable.

?Over 3,400 people are killed on the country?s roads every year and speeding is the greatest contributing factor. On Dartmoor, there is the added danger to moorland animals, and I am pleased that together with the national park authority, we are taking this important initiative to reduce that terrible toll.?

The initiative follows the installation of information boards at moorland car parks, warning people not to feed ponies ? a practice which can encourage animals onto the roads.

Dartmoor National Park also stresses that drivers who have been involved in accidents with moorland livestock must telephone the police.