Slow pace

Enjoy a slower pace of life in the New Forest and help to reduce animal accidents – that’s the message from the New Forest National Park Authority and its partners as the nights draw in.

Working with the police, the Forestry Commission, the Verderers and others, the National Park Authority has been leading a campaign over the last year to encourage drivers to slow down, stick to the speed limits in the Forest and report any animal accidents they see.

A credit-card-sized reminder ideal for wallets and glove-compartments went out to all householders last year.  It is available from National Park Authority headquarters, local garages, shops and post offices; more than 140,000 people have already taken a card and know whom to call to report an animal accident.

Exxon Mobil is also lending its weight to the campaign by distributing animal accident cards with its internal magazine and placing card-dispensers at all its offices.

Nigel Burt, ExxonMobil Fawley Community Affairs Manager, said: “Along with many of the staff at the refinery, I drive across the Forest to work and it is really upsetting to see animals dead as a result of avoidable accidents.

“At Fawley we are always looking out for ways that we can improve safety for the animals on the Forest and our people on their journeys to and from work, and these cards along with the driving tips we have printed in our site magazine will certainly help.”

Martin O’Neill, Director of Information and Visitor Services at the New Forest National Park Authority, added: “More than 140,000 people have chosen to pick up a card, which we believes shows that an overwhelming number of people are concerned about the welfare of the animals in the Forest.

“However, we and the Verderers are all-too-aware that there is often an increase in animal accidents when the clocks go back.  We have launched a car sticker to remind drivers to stick to the speed limits as the latest element of the campaign.”

If you would like a car sticker please email enquries@newforestnpa.gov.uk