A booster seat keeps a pet calm by providing a clear view outside. (Photos courtesy of Kurgo.com)
Allowing a pet to ride unrestrained in a car can be distracting. Driving with a dog that could jump on your lap, or otherwise distract you from the road, is just as dangerous as texting while driving.
Looking away from the road for as briefly as two seconds doubles your risk of getting into a crash. That’s according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Meanwhile, using your hands to restrain, feed, or play with your pet also significantly increases the likelihood of an accident.
In a recent survey by AAA, more than half of dog owners admitted to never or rarely using a pet-restraint device in the car—and to petting their dog while driving. Respondents gave the common excuse that their pet didn’t need a restraint device, especially for short trips. That’s dangerous thinking.
It’s Against the Law
Distracted driving can lead to an accident. And a dog frightened by a collision can jump out of an open car window, increasing the animal’s risk of injury while endangering other passengers.
A half-dozen states have rules against transporting a dog without a restraint. The state of New Jersey imposes hefty fines—up to $1,000—on drivers caught with an unrestrained pet in their vehicles. Hawaii has a law against pets sitting in the driver’s lap, and 14 states have laws against leaving pets unattended in cars.
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Solutions for Driving with a Dog
When it comes to your pet safely traveling in the car, you don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Follow these well-established guidelines:
- If you are using a crate to restrain a cat or dog, check the crate’s crash test rating. Look for a reinforced aluminum or plastic crate that is well ventilated to keep the animal comfortable. The safest place for an animal crate is in the vehicle’s cargo area. Use tie-downs to secure the crate so it can’t shift if the driver makes an emergency stop.
- An animal can also wear a harness, but the harness needs to tie into the vehicle’s seatbelt system. For example, the best impact harnesses secure around the dog’s chest and back and ties into the seatbelts. The harnesses come in different sizes to ensure a proper fit.
A pet harness needs to tie into the vehicle’s seat-belt system.
- A booster seat that ties into the seatbelt system raises your dog for an unrestricted view outside, keeping them calmer while the car is in motion.
A Safe Travel Space for Your Dog
- Before planning an extended road trip with your pet, get the animal used to riding in a car with shorter trips around town.
- As with small children, dogs and cats will be safer sitting in the car’s second row rather than in the front.
- Make sure that the area the pet is riding in is comfortable and well ventilated. A protective blanket will not only keep your dog more comfortable but protect the upholstery as well. In addition, a vehicle with vents in the back of the center console, the ceiling, or B-pillars will do a better job of circulating air around the back of the car.
- Some pet experts suggest turning off the vehicle’s power windows to prevent a pet from accidentally pushing the windows up button and getting trapped.
While human beings are accustomed to traveling long distances in a car without a break, dogs and cats need routine breaks so your animal can get out of the vehicle, stretch its legs, drink some water, and relieve itself.
Finally, don’t forget to bring some pet toys to make the trip more enjoyable for your canine passengers.
