A FORMER teacher has called for children to be taught New Forest road sense at school in a bid to cut the death toll of commoners' animals.

Last year 131 animals - ponies, cattle pigs and donkeys - died after collisions on the area's unfenced roads.

Rosemary Bennett of Station Road, Sway, told the Court of Verderers the best time to teach people road sense is before they become drivers.

"I wondered if it would be possible for local schools to incorporate some simple instruction in the National Curriculum so that when a child becomes a driver he or she behaves more carefully when passing animals," said Mrs Bennett.

She added: "A responsible attitude learned while young might even save human lives as well."

New Forest Commoners' Defence Association spokesman Michael Cooper said inroads were being made in getting forest road safety issues into schools with three recently taking part in a sign design competition.

Official verderer Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre said the Verderers welcomed the Stay Under 40 campaign launched by police and other interested organisations on March 8.

"Last year there were 15 per cent more accidents involving the killing and maiming of our forest animals and we must do all we can to reverse this appalling trend," he said.

"It's not enough just to observe the speed limit. We must strive to educate the drivers who use the forest's roads and help them realise that animals simply do not have any road sense and can decide to cross at any moment, particularly foals."

And commoner Chris Aldhous said the Verderers ought to be sending out the message: "When you cross a cattle grid you are driving through a farmyard. If you hit an animal you are liable. Be aware of the animals, they can move without warning.

"An accident with an animal can wreck your car.

"But the main message I would ask you to consider is: It is not enough just to stay under 40. Slow down when approaching animals."