POLICE in the New Forest are using shock tactics to force drivers to cut their speed following a sharp rise in animal accidents.

Motorists flouting the 40mph speed limit are being shown horrific photographs of mutilated animals and damaged cars. The graphic images aim to highlight the consequences of accidents involving ponies and deer.

Some were taken at the scene of a collision on the A35 at Hinton Admiral in 2000, when a deer hit by a car crashed through the windscreen of another vehicle to kill the driver.

Police warned one driver on the B3054 near Lymington: “This is the sort of thing that could happen to you.”

Another was told: “The next time we do this sort of operation we could be showing people photographs of your car.”

Chief Insp Gary Cooper said: “An accident can be devastating for the motorist and the animal. Rather than simply issue tickets we want to raise awareness of what can happen. Education is the best way of changing people’s behaviour.”

One of the drivers described the police operation as “absolutely brilliant” – despite being stopped herself.

The motorist, who was doing 47mph, said: “I live in the Forest and I’m aware of the animals. I can’t believe I’ve done this.”

Another admitted: “I own two New Forest ponies myself. Being caught breaking the speed limit is very embarrassing.”

Police stopped 10 drivers on the B3054 and other roads in the Forest.

Those who broke the limit by only a small margin were offered the opportunity to take a driver awareness course rather than face prosecution. The others, including two who were caught driving at 58mph, were handed a fixed penalty notice resulting in a £60 fine and three penalty points.

Police are working with the New Forest Verderers and other organisations in a bid to reduce the increasing number of collisions.

A total of 71 animals were killed or injured in the first six months of this year, compared with 52 in the same period last year.