Road safety campaigners in the New Forest are asking businesses to help promote safer driving on New Forest roads.

Companies with staff who drive in the New Forest are being encouraged to join the New Forest Drive Safe campaign to raise awareness among their employees of Forest ponies, cattle and other animals on or close to roads.

The newly launched group is urging as many local firms as possible to sign up to the scheme. They will be provided with support 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.

Companies can join free of charge by filling out the form on the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association website New Forest Drive Safe – Real New Forest

The call comes as there have been 62 accidents involving animals on Forest roads so far this year (correct up to week beginning October 20), with 36 animals either killed or injured.

Animal accidents are most frequent during the winter months, where more journeys are completed in darkness or poor weather conditions. It is a legal requirement 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.

New Forest Commoners Defence Association Chair Andrew Parry-Norton said: ‘This is an initiative which we hope will highlight to everyone the importance of treating the Forest and Commoners’ livestock respectfully.

‘Signing up to this scheme is a great example for local businesses to show they understand why their drivers should take extra care while travelling across the Forest.

‘Whatever size your business is, if you have drivers who drive through the Forest, I would strongly encourage you to join the scheme.’

New Forest National Park Authority Chair Victoria Mander said: ‘The animals’ grazing is vital in maintaining rare habitats and helping to create the incredible New Forest landscape. All individuals, organisations and businesses have a duty to look out for Forest livestock and each other when driving on Forest roads.

‘By being part of the New Forest Drive Safe group, organisations are showing a commitment to protecting New Forest Commoners’ livestock and allowing the animals to continue doing their important job of shaping the internationally important National Park landscape.’

Forestry England Community Manager Charlotte Belcher said: ‘It’s great to see this commitment from local businesses to encourage drivers to take extra care on Forest roads.

‘Many motorists tell us that they know the risks but think that it won’t happen to them. The figures make it clear that accidents can happen to anyone at any time of the day or night. We can all improve safety by driving with care through this special place and making sure we pass animals wide and slow.’

Gilly Jones from New Forest Roads Awareness said: ‘Many people who drive through the Forest every day are aware of the risks but don’t always realise how unpredictable animals can be, especially in poor light or bad weather.

‘The New Forest Drive Safe campaign gives businesses a way to help share that awareness among their teams.

‘It’s about changing habits, encouraging drivers to slow down, and reminding everyone that the Forest’s animals always have right of way.’

Mark Thurston-Jones, owner of sign, print and clothing company Thurston in Holbury, said: ‘My parents were involved in a road traffic accident involving a pony a few years back and it highlighted to me the risks involved in driving across the Forest that I hadn’t previously been aware of – the damage to the vehicle and the potential loss of life to humans as well as the animals.

‘A large proportion of my staff live on the other side of the Forest and drive in each day and we work across the Forest so staff are always out in company vehicles.

‘It is so important people are aware of the dangers involved in driving across the Forest and I would urge businesses to support New Forest Drive Safe as I believe it’s a very worthy cause.’

The New Forest Drive Safe group is led by the New Forest CDA in partnership with the New Forest National Park Authority, Forestry England and New Forest Roads Awareness, as part of the New Forest Animal Accidents Reduction Group.

Thurston, the Commoners’ Larder and Camping in the New Forest are among the organisations to have already signed up to the scheme.

Find out more about the initiative by searching for New Forest Drive Safe on the New Forest CDA website.

Pictured above: New Forest Drive Safe launch at Thurston in Holbury behind a Thurston vehicle

From left: Jim Day (New Forest National Park Authority ranger), Charlotte Belcher (Forestry England community manager), Mark Thurston-Jones (owner of Thurston), Keith Mansbridge (vice chair of New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association) and Gilly Jones (New Forest Roads Awareness)