Promoting safer driving on New Forest roads

Every year, animals are killed or injured on New Forest roads. To help change this, the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA), with support from Forestry England and the New Forest National Park Authority, has relaunched the Shared Forest Business Group under a new name: New Forest Drive Safe.

The premise is simple: we would like companies with staff who drive in the New Forest to promote animal awareness and safe driving across the National Park, and to educate people in what to do if they are involved in or witness an accident.

What do you / businesses have to do?

We have six things that we ask members to agree to.

• Inform staff about the risk of animal accidents – and what to do in the event of one – in inductions and in other meetings (where relevant)

• Promote awareness of the Advice for New Forest drivers leaflet to staff to encourage best practice while driving on commutes and in work vehicles

• Offer emergency hotline cards (subject to availability) to staff and display them to customers where possible

• Allow extra time to drivers who drive across the Forest, including on their commute

• Invite staff and customers to display ‘I go slow for ponies’ car stickers (subject to availability) in their personal vehicles

• Opt in and share our seasonal safety updates with staff through our quarterly email newsletter

What are the benefits?

By joining the group your name will be added to our website, so the public knows which companies promote safer driving, and hopefully, opt for you when choosing a business/service.

Businesses may also be promoted and profiled in the newsletter, providing additional exposure to existing and potentially new customers.

The knowledge that you and your staff are doing as much as you can to protect the livestock and wildlife in the very special landscape that is the New Forest.

Play an important role in reducing the number of accidents and damage to vehicles.

We will happily provide any additional support to you as and when you require.

Best of all, it is free to join!

Sign up in the form below to confirm your membership.

If you require any further information, please email: businessgroup@realnewforest.org

Personal data provided for participation in New Forest Drive Safe will be securely stored by the New Forest National Park Authority on behalf of the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association and used only for the purposes of managing membership.