Speed cameras push as New Forest animal crashes up 16% in 2023

ANIMAL accidents on New Forest roads were up almost 16% in 2023 according to figures revealed to the Verderers’ Court.

During 2023, the agisters were called out to 95 road traffic accidents involving commoners’ animals, compared with 82 accidents in the previous year.

Of these, 67 accidents happened at night, four at twilight and 24 were in daylight hours.

Addressing the Verderers’ Court, New Forest Roads Awareness campaigner Gilly Jones revealed that accidents resulted in the death of 63 animals, compared to 60 animals killed in 2022.

Ms Jones continued: “We lost 27 ponies last year compared to 34 in 2022. Cattle, pigs and sheep saw their numbers rising.”

The worst accident road in the New Forest was the B3054, between Lymington and Dibden, where over half of the total pony fatalities occurred. Nine of the 17 accidents involving cattle were also reported on the same route.

Ms Jones said: “I want to ask the Official Verderer to help in keeping up the push for average speed cameras on the Roger Penny Way, as I know that speed is still an issue up there.”

The court also heard that the push for average speed cameras should now be extended to include the B3054.

“I know guidelines state that average speed cameras are installed when there is a number of human deaths,” said Ms Jones, adding: “But we must support a push for the New Forest to be considered as a unique driving environment. I’m not prepared to wait for someone to die.”

Turning to hit-and-run accidents, Ms Jones revealed that 18 of the accidents were not reported within 24 hours: “Seven of the 18 hit-and-run accidents happened in a 20-day window in November.”

In a bid to reduce accidents in 2024, the court heard that the Commoners’ Defence Association has relaunched the Real New Forest Business Group, which works with local companies to raise awareness of what to do following an animal accident.

“Education is the way forward and the only way we can do this is by getting more groups involved,” said Ms Jones, continuing: “Hospitality has its place, not only in staff training but also in warning their customers.

“Garages must get on board too – giving people the keys to a supercar and letting them test drive it on the New Forest roads must be dealt with.

“I hope that more companies will get behind the business group so we can make careless driving as antisocial as drink-driving or driving whilst on your phone.”