The Destructive Effects of Speed - Driver Faces Punishment after Causing Death of Pony on Roads

A man who caused the death of a pony last year in The New Forest, Hampshire on the South Coast on England has been given a hefty fine and received a driving ban that `sends a message` to other drivers.

This shocking image show the consequences on the vehicle of collision between the vehicle and the poor pony shining a light on the devastating effects of speeding on our roads.

Oliver William Haywood, of Woodgreen Common Road, Ringwood hit the pony, who sadly died from it`s injuries at the scene on 7th August 2022 while he and a small child travelling in the back of the car suffered minor injuries.

The 25 year old man was convicted of driving without due care and attention at West Hampshire Magistrates court on April 6th, was ordered to pay a fine of £1600 on top of court costs and banned from driving for 6 months.

The New Forest is a particularly picturesque part of the UK where The New Forest ponies live and roam freely, there are around 5000 wild ponies living in the area with them having been there for an estimated 2000 years, long before cars were invented. They know the forest like the back of their hooves and will likely be a fixture of the area for years to come encouraging tourist to flock to the area every year.

To read about the ponies for the New Forest click the link below

Hampshire - The English Forest Where Horses Roam Free

Police representative PC Dan Channer said `Speed limits are put in place for a reason - and it is exactly that, a limit - not a target. Ponies, horses and other wild animals cross New Forest roads day and night and it is well signposted in these high-risk areas.` `This incident shows the devastating effects of travelling at inappropriate speeds on our forest roads. While an animal has lost its life, the consequences could have been graver - there could have been a loss of human life too.`

`The gravity of the fine handed down by the judge, coinciding with a driving ban, sends out a strong message. Drivers who see the forest`s wild animals must be mindful, react and slow down to give plenty of time and space. They do not have road sense, and the Highway Code gives them implicit right of way. It is our duty as road users to afford them safe passage by driving carefully and considerately when in the forest. The incident follows rule changes in the UK to right of way where pedestrians, bicycles and horses are given more right of way in an attempt to encourage drivers to be more aware of other road users following an increase to such incidents on the roads. The highway code now states drives should slow to 10mph when approaching horses and should pass `wide and slow`, allowing the horse and rider 2m space between them and the car.

Much like many similar instances on our roads the poor animals are flesh and bone and are no match for a speeding lump of metal, they don`t understand the highway code so it our responsibility to act responsibly to cut out issues like this on our road system.