Securing a horse in a car trunk: Proper Cargo Harnessing Techniques
In the Aachen region of North Rhine-Westphalia, a driver found herself in an unusual situation during a traffic stop. The woman was transporting a pony in the trunk of her car, an act that has raised concerns about cargo safety. On September 19, 2025, the police in Aachen organised an event on the topic of safer cargo transport. This event seems to have been timely, as the driver was found to be in violation of several rules during the traffic stop. The pony was discovered in the pink car, with the rear seats folded down and a carpet laid out. Despite the driver's belief that her pony was securely fastened with a rope tied to a metal hook in the car, the police deemed the cargo securing to be improper. As a result, the driver was prohibited from continuing her journey. The load, in this case the pony, must not protrude above the top edge of the rear seat backrest. Moreover, it should be evenly distributed and form-fitting without gaps. Heavy objects should be placed on the bottom of the trunk, with lighter ones on top, to ensure proper distribution. Unsecured objects in a car can develop 50 times their own weight in a frontal collision at 50 km/h. In the case of the pony, which weighs approximately 150 kg, this could suddenly weigh up to 7.5 tons in a collision. The lead rope may not hold up to this weight, creating a life-threatening situation. To prevent such incidents, safety belts should be fastened on the rear seat, even if no one is sitting there. A safety partition grid or net should separate the passenger compartment from the cargo area. It is also recommended to adapt tire pressure and headlight settings to the load, and to keep a warning vest, triangle, and first aid kit readily available. The pony, however, seemed relaxed and had a bucket of provisions with it. Despite the initial shock, it appears that the pony was not distressed during the traffic stop. A fine procedure has been initiated against the driver, and she was offered a warning fine of 35 euros, which she refused to pay on the spot. It is hoped that this incident will serve as a reminder to all drivers about the importance of proper cargo securing. Ponies, like other animals, should not be transported in the trunk, but in a horse trailer, to ensure their safety and the safety of other road users.
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