Securing a horse in a car trunk: Proper cargo handling procedures
In a surprising turn of events, a woman was recently found transporting a pony in the trunk of her pink car by the Alsdorf city police officers during a traffic control in the Aachen region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The discovery was made in September 2021.
The pony was found in the car's trunk with a rug laid out, and the backseat folded down. Initially, the driver believed her pony was securely fastened with a rope to a metal hook in the car. However, the officers quickly realised that this method was not suitable for the weight of a pony, posing a life-threatening situation in case of a crash.
In such a scenario, unsecured objects can develop up to 50 times their own weight, as demonstrated by the principle that in a frontal collision at 50 km/h, an object of 150 kg (approximately the weight of a pony) would suddenly weigh up to 7.5 tons.
The officers prohibited the woman from continuing her journey, deeming the pony's transportation method improper. They also advised her on safe practices for transporting ponies. A cargo should be evenly weight distributed and form-fitting without gaps. It should not protrude above the top edge of the backrest.
Moreover, the cargo area should be separated from the passenger compartment by a safety partition grid or net. Tire pressure and headlight settings should be adapted to the cargo. Heavy objects should be placed on the bottom, with lighter ones on top. Safety belts on the backseat should be fastened, even if no one is sitting there.
A warning fine of 35 euros was offered, but the driver refused to pay on the spot. A fine procedure has since been initiated. The pony, however, seemed relaxed and had a bucket of provisions with it, suggesting that it was not distressed during the journey.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following safe practices when transporting animals, especially heavier ones like ponies. It is crucial to prioritise the safety of both the animals and other road users.
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