Promoting safer driving on New Forest roads

In a bid to help reduce the amount of animal deaths on New Forest roads, the Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA), is relaunching the Shared Forest Business Group, along with Forestry England and the New Forest National Park Authority

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 unlucky enough to be involved in or witness an accident.

What do you / businesses have to do?

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

• Include a ‘Safe driving on Forest roads’ element to all induction courses. This includes the commute into work, as well as driving a company vehicle

• Offer to hand out and display the ‘Advice for New Forest drivers’ leaflet to all staff members and on websites for visitors to see

• Offer emergency hotline cards to all staff and display them to customers where possible

• Allow extra time to drivers who use unfenced roads across the Forest, including on their commute

• Invite staff and customers to display ‘I go slow for ponies’ car stickers 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.

A reduction in accidents and damage to vehicles.

Any additional support you need can be provided where we are able to.

Best of all, it is free to join!

To join, please fill in the form below so we can arrange your membership.

For any further information, please email: comms@realnewforest.org