Unlike lambs to the slaughter
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voluntary 45mph speed limit is being introduced on a stretch of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park in a bid to reduce the number of sheep fatalities involving vehicles hitting animals which stray into the road.
The limit—labelled "advisory"—will be reinforced with repeated signs warning drivers to keep their speed down and publicity campaigns aimed at locals and tourists. The scheme is modelled on a successful trial in the New Forest which protects ponies. However, sheep farmers are sceptical—they wanted to fence off their fields but were turned down on envimnmental grounds. It is not known whether a sheep hit at 45mph an hour has a significantly better chance of survival than one hit at 60mph. Perhaps this is a challenge for the Motor Industry Research Association? Over to you, boffins.