Animal accidents
Animal emergency hotlines animal accident road sign
More than 100 animals are killed or injured each year on the roads in the New Forest National Park.
The open landscape of the New Forest where ponies, cattle, donkeys and pigs roam free is one of the distinctive qualities of the National Park. This is one of few areas in England, especially in the busy and developed south, where drivers may come face-to-face with animals on the road day or night.
The New Forest National Park Authority works closely with partners such as the Verderers, New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, the Police and the Forestry Commission to make everyone aware of the risk of animal accidents in the National Park and to reduce the death-toll. Initiatives instigated by National Park officers include Animal Emergency Hotline Cards which are widely available throughout the Forest and temporary signs which Agisters leave at the site of an animal accident to raise awareness of where the incident happened.
Please observe the speed limits: the animals can be difficult to see and they have little road-sense. Animals have right of way over vehicles and it is the driver’s responsibility to slow down and give way to them. Most accidents happen when it is dark and many involve local drivers as well as visitors.
And remember the risk is not just to the animals but to you as a driver, your passengers and your vehicle. Drive safely in the National Park … for everyone’s sake. Thank you.
In 2007 there were 167 accidents, seven fewer than in 2006, but the number of animals killed went up from 87 in 2006 to 90 in 2007. In 2006 there were 174 incidents, 19 more than in 2005. Most collisions happen in the dark. Visit the Verderers' website for more animal accidents statistics.
