New Forest Drive Safe group reaches 100 businesses pledging to reduce animal accidents in first year

New Forest businesses are urged to join the 100 organisations already signed up to a free safer driving initiative marking its one-year anniversary this month.

The New Forest Drive Safe group was launched to encourage local organisations to promote safer driving among employees, contractors and customers, following one of the worst years for New Forest Commoners’ livestock deaths due to road accidents.

In the year since, more than 100 businesses have signed up to the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association-led (CDA) initiative, which is supported by the New Forest National Park Authority and Forestry England.

Animal accidents are most frequent during the winter months, due to the clocks going back and more journeys being completed in darkness or poor weather conditions. It‘s the law to report an accident involving New Forest livestock to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours, even if the animal has run off.

Companies which sign up are provided with stickers, hotline cards and advice to help make staff aware of the risks of driving near livestock and what to do if they are involved in an incident with an animal.

The initiative has attracted support from businesses and organisations across the New Forest, including New Forest Ice Cream, Hockey’s Farm Shop and Forest Park Country Hotel. All companies involved in the group are listed on the CDA website.

New Forest CDA Chair, Andrew Parry-Norton said: ‘Reaching 100 businesses is a fantastic milestone for New Forest Drive Safe.

‘As we head into autumn, it’s a particularly important time to remind drivers that conditions on the Forest change with the seasons.

‘A few extra minutes on a journey, reducing your speed and being prepared for animals on the road can make a real difference to ensuring the safety of people and Commoners’ livestock in the National Park.’

Pony near the road at night (credit: Russell Sach / New Forest NPA)

New Forest National Park Authority member Ann Sevier said: ‘Everyone who drives on roads in the National Park has a duty to look out for free-roaming livestock as part of Team New Forest.

‘We’re thankful for every business which has already signed up, and urge anyone who has employees, contractors or customers who drive in the Forest to also join the group.’

Forestry England recreation manager, Charlotte Belcher said: ‘Free roaming ponies and animals are an iconic part of the New Forest and play a key role in helping to manage this special landscape.

‘It’s important that everyone driving on Forest roads is aware that these animals can be on or very close to the roads at any time of the day or night.

‘It’s really positive to see so many businesses in the area getting behind this initiative and we encourage any who haven’t signed up yet to join this winter.’

New Forest Roads Awareness lead and chair of the Animal Accidents Reduction Group, Gilly Jones said: ‘No one wants to be involved in a collision, but everyone should know who to call if they are unlucky enough to witness or are involved in an accident.

‘It’s important that businesses join New Forest Drive Safe to reduce the amount of livestock deaths and the senseless hit and runs.’

Animal accident cars and stickers which are given to members of New Forest Drive Safe

New Forest Ice Cream marketing officer, Frankie Skinner said: ‘We signed up to the Drive Safe campaign because, as a local business with deliveries throughout the New Forest and surrounding areas, we recognise the importance of driving safely through the Forest.

‘Many of our employees also travel through the area every day, so we feel it’s important to support initiatives that help protect the wildlife and reduce the risk of accidents.

‘Signing up to the campaign is a simple but meaningful way to encourage our employees to drive responsibly. We hope that, by working together, we can help make a difference and reduce the number of accidents on the Forest’s roads.’

New Forest Drive Safe encourages businesses to remind their staff and customers:

• Slow down and drive to the conditions

• Take extra care at dawn and dusk – particularly when visibility is limited

• Expect animals on the road and be prepared to stop

• Give ponies, cattle, donkeys and pigs plenty of space and never sound your horn or try to pass too closely

• Allow extra time for journeys rather than feeling pressured to make up time

• Be particularly careful when sun glare, fog, rain or wet roads reduce visibility

• If you’re in an accident involving livestock, it’s a legal requirement to report it to the police within 24 hours and provide the location, including what3words if possible.

Businesses can join free of charge by filling out the form on the CDA website: New Forest Drive Safe – Real New Forest.

Hotline cards with information on who to call in the event of a road accident with New Forest livestock can be downloaded on the NPA website: Animal Accidents – New Forest National Park