WHILST respecting Lizzi Walton’s sentiments (Letters, 21/9/16 - ‘Let’s stamp out animal harm’) there are other aspects regarding the deaths of cows on Minchinhampton Common which must be considered and I speak as someone who unfortunately had his car written off on the Common in an incident with a cow.

I think the general opinion might be that, of course, I was driving too fast and I deserved what I got – ie the loss of a no claims bonus and a bill for a new car. Let me assure readers that that would be a total misreading of the situation.

Having lived near the Common for six years, fully aware of the dangers posed by cattle and having had only one endorsement on my licence in over 50 years of driving, it might be accepted by the fair-minded that I could show more than a degree of care while driving.

My experience occurred about 6.30pm one dark winter evening when it was cold and drizzling quite densely.

My cautious speed was about 30 mph due to oncoming headlights, intermittent misting of the inside of the windows, and the restricted visibility caused by the weather.

Without warning a cow ran at some speed across the Common and ran into the front of my car.

The impact caused the cow to be flipped up onto my bonnet and windscreen, smashing it to smithereens. The cow ran off apparently uninjured but the incident caused me to consider the situation on the Common.

Whilst regretting the accident’s monetary cost, the experience taught me that I was fortunate to have walked away from the vehicle unscathed. It was even more fortunate that no one had been sitting in the front passenger seat or they would have been showered with glass. Had I been carrying a child as front seat passenger the injury it might have sustained could have been life-changing.

It could have been blinded for sure. Had the cow come through the screen, the smash could have proved fatal.

Indeed I’m surprised in the circumstances prevailing on the Common that a human death has, until now, been avoided.

I’ve no wish to be a prophet of doom and I know that much thought has been given to the problem but the Common is an uncommonly dangerous place.

Even more thought must be given to the situation before there is a human fatality – Minchinhampton would not want to be lumbered with such notoriety.

I should add that I’ve seen other instances of extreme danger here.

One night at 1am a herd numbering about eight or 10, charged out of The Knapp and into the Cirencester Road and then onto the common.

The bend at this spot is blind and carnage would have ensued, even at 30 mph, had a driver been going east at this point – they would have had absolutely no warning.

Whilst talking of Common accidents with a friend only this morning, he told me of an acquaintance of his – a vegan who of course had special regard to animals - who had also hit a cow.

His partner injured an arm in the crash and suffered the ill-effects for six months.

I have no solutions to offer other than to say (the obvious) that when cattle are roaming free - day and night - across unfenced and well used roads, the potential for serious accidents is massively increased.

Whilst not seeking to apportion blame in any way, might it not be an idea to leaflet all houses in the village alerting residents (who will be the most regular drivers here) to the real danger on their doorsteps – perhaps before every release of cattle onto the Common in the spring, then keep the leaflet handy in the front of the car as an aide-memoire?

It’s our problem and whilst it may be totally unresolvable, we can try to reduce the incidence by any means possible.

One less is a small success.

Whilst a crash is a crash, has anyone recorded the circumstances of such incidents?

That might help pinpoint exactly how and why they happen.

Speed is not the only driver.

Roger Gough

Minchinhampton