A leading road safety campaigner has shared shocking images showing the devastating consequences of animal accidents in the New Forest.
A car was wrecked when a free-roaming pony crashed through the windscreen, narrowly missing the driver, and died of "catastrophic" head injuries.
Gilly Jones, of New Forest Roads Awareness, said Rowdown Hot Topic was killed on the Beaulieu to Dibden road on Monday, October 6.
Posting on social media she said: "The young driver was beyond devastated, but they are one lucky person. A few inches across, she [the pony] would have landed on them. It was so close to being a double fatal."
It comes after another pony was decapitated in a collision on Roger Penny Way, Bramshaw, on October 1.
All the ponies, cows and donkeys that foam the Forest are owned by commoners - people with the right to let their livestock graze the landscape.
The number of accidents is expected to rise after the clocks go back later this month and commuters find themselves driving home in the dark.
READ MORE: Latest animal accidents in the New Forest include two hit-and-runs
Ms Jones posted a list of potential solutions put forward over the years, along with her reaction to each suggestion.
She said: "Fence the roads - that needs Acts of Parliament, would cost tens (if not more millions) as cattle grids, underpasses, and fences would have to be built. Who has the money for that?
"Speed bumps are a popular request, but they have to be lit and are not suitable for a national park.
"Remove the livestock - the New Forest is the original rewilding project. We have visitors from all over the world who come to see how we work, so they can change their environment."
Ms Jones added: "The one, most simple, and free thing we can do to reduce the amount of fatalities is change drivers' behaviour.
"40mph is the limit - why do you think it is acceptable to go faster?
"Too many livestock have died this year already and we are going into the winter nights. My concern is that the numbers will double in the next three months useless people talk about it.
"Sorry for a long post, but I want to stop this unnecessary slaughter of New Forest livestock."
Share