DRIVERS are being urged not to use the lockdown as an excuse to flout speed limits when using deserted routes in the New Forest.

A dramatic reduction in the amount of traffic on the roads is thought to one of the main reasons why only one animal accident has been reported in the Forest in the past four weeks.

But campaigners fear the figure will rise over the next few weeks, when a large number of foals are likely to be born.

Members of the New Forest Roads Campaign say collisions could increase as a result of drivers - and animals - being lulled into a false sense of security.

Spokesperson Gilly Jones said: "The animal accident figures are lower because there's less traffic on the roads but this does not give people carte blanche to drive at whatever speed they want. With less traffic around animals are now more blase.

"In the next few weeks foals are going to be born and there will be a joint (safety) campaign with all stakeholders."

Several people have taken to social media to complain about the speed of traffic on Roger Penny Way and other routes in the district.

One woman said: "I was walking in the Forest and the speed of vehicles passing me was disgusting. Motorists seem to think that because there isn't a lot of traffic around they can do as they please."

Another person posted: "We were passed by a driver going really fast.

"There were quite a few ponies near the roadside but drivers don't seem to realise that they could cross the road at any time - they don't have any road sense."

The only animal accident in the Forest in the past four weeks involved a sheep which was killed in a hit-a-run at Wittensford, near Brook.

Ms Jones described the driver's failure to report the collision as "totally despicable".

She reminded motorists that the Verderers offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of a driver involved in a hit-and-run.

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