Nicki Ralph, a distressed pet owner from Wingham, Kent, has taken a unique approach to enforce the local speed limit after her son’s cat was tragically run over. Concerned that drivers were not adhering to the 20mph limit, Ralph filled her car windscreen with a speed warning message that reads, “Please do 20 before another pet is killed.”
Ralph shared that her autistic son was deeply affected by the loss of their cat, adding to the grief of having to put their dog down just the day before. She noted that the sign has been effective in making drivers slow down to read the message, hoping it will encourage them to respect the speed limit and prevent further accidents.
The 20mph limit on the A257 between Sandwich and Canterbury was established in 2022 following a resident survey that showed strong support for the restriction. The limit also covers Adisham Road, Staple Road, and Canterbury Road, with a buffer zone near Preston Hill to help drivers reduce their speed safely.
Ralph has been keeping her other cats indoors to protect them, though she acknowledges it is unfair, especially during the current heatwave. She expressed her heartbreak and hoped that the sign would make drivers think about the impact of their speed on the community and its pets.
