Business, Motoring & Transport, New Forest | Posted on October 27th, 2026 | return to news

Driving initiative to reduce animal accidents in New Forest

Businesses are urged to sign up for The New Forest Drive Safe group to prevent animal deaths on winter roads.

Last year saw a rise in animal accidents involving New Forest Commoners’ livestock including ponies, cattle and donkeys, with 108 reported accidents and 47 animals killed. This was compared to 97 accidents and 37 deaths the year before.

Consequently, New Forest businesses are being urged to join the 100 organisations already signed up to a free safer driving initiative. The New Forest Drive Safe group was launched last year to encourage local organisations to promote safer driving among employees, contractors and customers.

Since then, 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.

All companies involved in the group are listed on the CDA website. New Forest CDA chairman, Andrew Parry-Norton said: “Reaching 100 businesses is a fantastic milestone for New Forest Drive Safe.

“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.”

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 chairperson 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.”

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 and 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.