DRIVERS are being urged to be extra careful on the roads this winter to reduce the annual spike in animal deaths.

In total, 56 animals were killed on the roads last year, one of the lowest years on record. But, the two months after the clocks change are reported to be the most dangerous of the year as the evenings become darker.

New Forest commoners, the families who own the animals that graze the Forest, have teamed up with other organisations to take their drive safe campaign on the road this winter.

Five near-life-size animal silhouettes have been produced representing the ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep killed last year, which will be placed in towns and villages throughout winter as a reminder to drivers to take care on the roads.

Commoner James Young, whose pony Brock Brocade was killed in a hit and run incident, said: “This is the most worrying time of year for every family making the effort to keep the Forest properly grazed. Pure-bred New Forest ponies like Brock Brocade are now a rare breed. Every one matters to its owners and to the Forest.

“No pony deserves to be left all night to suffer like Brocade in an unreported hit-and-run. I really hope that people will learn to take a little more care, and save other commoners from experiencing such a pointless and awful loss.”

The silhouettes are just one part of a wider campaign that includes new temporary warning signs deployed by Hampshire County Council on key roads and the police mobile speed camera van which is out in the Forest day and night.

There will also be a social media campaign urging drivers to slow down and #add3minutes to their journey.

Sue Westwood, the clerk to the Verderers, said: “Drivers should be aware that they are very likely to encounter animals on the Forest’s roads, day and night. Animals don’t have road sense so please help avoid accidents by driving slowly and carefully.

“Failing to report an accident with a commoner’s animal can lead to prosecution. The Verderers offer a reward of up to £5,000, payable to anyone providing information which leads to the successful prosecution of a driver responsible for a hit and run accident.”

Nigel Matthews, of the New Forest National Park Authority, convenes the Animal Accident Reduction Group. He said: “The majority of commuters are responsible, slow and careful drivers across the Forest. But it’s easy to get complacent and we know that you are three times more likely to kill or injured an animal in the Forest after the clocks go back than before.

“So we’re taking this campaign on the road to encourage local people who use high risk routes to please #add3minutes to their journeys in the darker nights and drive slowly for New Forest animals.”