A MAP showing animal accident blackspots in the New Forest has been published in a bid to encourage motorists to take more care.

It shows the locations of almost 140 accidents that took place last year – and reveals that more than a third occurred on just three roads.

The worst route for animal accidents is the B3078 Cadnam to Godshill road, where 24 collisions were reported in 2014.

A further 16 took place on the B3054 Hatchet Pond to Portmore route and 13 on the B3056 Hatchet Pond to Lyndhurst road.

All three roads are busy commuter routes used by a large number of people driving home at night, when many of the accidents occur.

The overall number of collisions fell from 181 in 2013 to 138 last year.

But Forest organisations are warning against any complacency, especially among motorists who travel across the district each day. Most incidents involve people who live in or near the New Forest.

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, said: “New Forest ponies and cattle are free to roam the Forest and it’s their grazing activity that shapes the landscape.

“We hope this map will be a visual reminder to motorists to be aware of animals as they’re driving. Although accidents are spread across the Forest there are particular roads which always seem to have a high number of collisions.”

Nigel Matthews, head of recreation management and learning at the National Park Authority, added: “Local motorists should never assume it won’t happen to them.

“The 30mph and 40mph speed limits are there for a reason. Animals are on the road day and night and unfortunately have no fear of cars.”

Daily Echo:

As reported in the Daily Echo, several initiatives have been taken in recent years to try to reduce the number of ponies, cows and donkeys that are killed or injured on Forest roads.

These include fitting the animals with glow-in-the-dark collars that reflect car headlights and make them more visible at night.

Police equipped with an infra-red speed camera are patrolling the Forest day and night. In March alone almost 500 motorists were caught speeding on unfenced roads, where animals often wander into the path of oncoming cars.

Animals that graze the Forest are owned by people known as commoners – villagers with the right to let their stock roam the landscape.

Graham Ferris, chairman of the Commoners’ Defence Association, welcomed the use of the new speed camera.

“We hope it will encourage motorists to observe the speed limit and thereby give themselves a better chance of avoiding accidents which kill and injure commoners’ livestock as well as risking the safety of drivers and passengers.”