The famous New Forest ponies have little or no road sense and are likely to step out in front of vehicles at any time on the unfenced roads of the National Park.
Sadly, last year saw 41 animals killed and a further 19 injured and although this was the lowest number of accidents on record, every death is a great loss to its owner and the Forest.
Now Forest organisations are encouraging people to carry a card with essential phone numbers to call in the event of an accident and asking people to help raise awareness by displaying a new animal safety car window sticker made from eco-friendly materials.
Hilary Makin, New Forest National Park Authority Communications Manager, said the NPA has invested £8,000 in the three-year campaign with the Love the Forest scheme from the New Forest Trust charity contributing a further £2,000.
She said: ‘We are urging people to be especially careful when driving through the New Forest as the nights start to get darker this autumn. Even minor accidents can be deadly for the animals, as well as causing injuries to people and vehicle damage.
‘We’d like as many people as possible to carry one of the credit-card sized hotline cards so everyone knows who to call if you see or are involved in an animal accident. Alternatively, you can take a photo of the numbers to keep on your phone, or add them to your contacts.’
William Ziegler, Chair of the Love the Forest charity campaign, said: ‘The ponies and cattle do a vital job of helping to maintain the Forest’s rare mix of habitats through their grazing. Although the number of accidents is thankfully decreasing we are urging people not to be complacent when they drive across the Forest and to ensure that if they see or are involved in an accident, they make sure they let the authorities know.’
Animal accidents cards and car window stickers are available at many petrol stations and community outlets throughout the New Forest as well as from the New Forest National Park Authority office at Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG.