Who is doing what?

There are many initiatives to reduce animal road traffic accidents in the New Forest and some of these are listed below.

No single organisation has overall responsibility so we liaise regularly to make sure activities are coordinated as far as possible.

credit card sized Animal Emergency Hotline card
articles in Park life newsletter, distributed to local residents
press releases
data analysis to identify trends and key issues
developing signs with changing messages with the Highway Authority
attends Operation Mountie – a multi-agency approach which seeks to combine education and enforcement action against speeding motorists

temporary ‘animal accident here’ signs left at the scene of accidents
distribution of weekly accident reports to the media
press articles generated by monthly report to Verderers Court
reflective collars for ponies and donkeys provided free to commoners – and encouragement at drifts to fit them
trial collars for cattle
Hit and Run Reward Scheme (up to £5,000 for information leading to a conviction)
provide funding for a mobile police safety camera van
attends Operation Mountie – a multi-agency approach which seeks to combine education and enforcement action against speeding motorists

owners of the animals fit reflective collars to animals which graze near to roads
sharing information about specific incidents though social media.
trial of salt licks on Roger Penny Way
volunteers from New Forest Roads Awareness attend community speed watches across the Forest plus Operation Mountie – a multi-agency approach which seeks to combine education and enforcement action against speeding motorists

40mph zone marked by signs at entrances to the zone and by painted 40 roundels on the road
warning signs on all roads, with the most prominent on those with the highest accident records
use of signs with changing messages as part of the overall signage scheme
village 30 scheme and village pinch points to reduce speeds in villages
trial Open Forest pinch points on Burley Road, Brockenhurst
fencing and cattle grids along A31, A35, A337 and around the ‘perambulation’ (where animals roam free)
traffic counts and speed analysis on high risk routes.

speed enforcement operations targeted on high risk routes through a mobile speed camera
support for local communities that apply to recruit Police Support Volunteers for the Community Speedwatch (CSW) initiative
driver awareness training as well as fines and points on the driving licence
Country Watch exhibition trailer with animal accident information
oversees Operation Mountie – a multi-agency approach which seeks to combine education and enforcement action against speeding motorists

Electronic Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs), Speed Limit Reminder signs (SLRs) and Speed Data Recorders (SDRs) – these provide data for Police enforcement teams and the flashing signs reduce traffic speeds while in situ.

open forest roadside scrub cut back by 10-15m on four-year rotation
post and rail fencing at blind spots
articles in visitor and local newspapers
attends Operation Mountie – a multi-agency approach which seeks to combine education and enforcement action against speeding motorists

encouragement to commoners to use the reflective collars
took the lead in setting up a partnership with the Verderers and Police to put in place a speed camera van in the Forest for a year
managed a Shared Forest project (funded by Heritage Lottery Fund) to increase public awareness and understanding of depastured animals and commoning, including reducing animal accidents by working with local businesses to cascade safe driving information to their staff, contractors and customers.
questionnaires to drivers who have been involved in accidents (joint with the Verderers).

drive carefully, day and night
tell their friends to drive carefully
carry emergency hotline cards
write to local newspapers to generate publicity
organise local campaigns and petitions to raise awareness
through town and parish councils, run Community Speedwatch initiatives in their area, manned by trained Police Support Volunteers
provide funding for a Speed Indicator Devices – usually through Parish or Town Council.

some, such as ExxonMobil, have been active in raising awareness amongst their staff or have funded new initiatives
a new scheme for local businesses is currently being developed – details to follow.

regular point of discussion at events (including the New Forest Show), visitor centres, at schools etc.

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