Driving with your dog: Avoid these risks

February 16, 2019 posted by

Border collie wears safety harness. When driving with your dog, keep your pup safely restrained.

When driving with your dog, keep your pup safely restrained.

Driving with your dog can be dangerous.

The guilt of leaving your dog while you work may push you to compensate whenever you can.

Taking your dog for short rides is a good idea. Letting him roam free in the vehicle isn’t.

You will expose both of you to unnecessary harm. Driving with a dog that’s not buckled up, like driving while texting, is a sure way to get into a crash, which can lead to damage, injuries or fatalities.

Statistics show that distractions account for almost a third of all road fatalities. 

To stay safe on the road, recognize the dangers that come from driving with your dog. 

Driving with your dog: Legal implications 

Did you know that there are legal implications to consider for driving with your dog? Many states have laws regulating whether your dog can sit on your lap and a few mandate restraints for your dog.

Failing to obey these rules can lead to fines and other penalties. But legal costs ought to be the least of your worries when we consider risks when driving with your dog. Staying safe on the road should be your priority. 

Could your dog stop you from getting help?

You’ve probably read stories about dogs saving their owners from danger or even death. But driving with your dog could put you in physical jeopardy.

Imagine a scenario where you are injured in a crash, and your unrestrained canine becomes protective and won’t let emergency personnel near you? 

Keep both of you safe by restraining your dog in an appropriate, field-tested and approved carrier or harness.  

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Your unrestrained dog becomes a hazard 

When driving with a dog unfastened, there’s a chance that if you have to brake suddenly, your dog could fly through the windshield or even strike you. 

If your dog is on your lap and the airbag deploys, he could be seriously injured or killed.

To stay safe on the road when driving with a dog, keep your dog buckled in the backseat. To prevent your dog from slipping and sliding, use a car seat cover.

Distractions and safe driving

Driving while distracted can be deadly. And unfortunately, your dog can be a major distraction.

A survey by  AAA and Kurgo Pet Products, 65 percent of respondents admitted they participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog.

More than half petted their dogs while driving. Nearly 20 percent let their dogs sit in their laps, and 13 percent fed their dogs while driving. 

Keeping your dog restrained in the backseat helps eliminate distractions and will help keep both of you safe if you’re in a crash. 

Conclusions about driving with your dog 

Well, it’s not a bad thing to take your dog for a drive, you must consider the risks and practice safe driving. 

Don’t make mistakes that put you both in danger. 

Scott Pine is a journalist, team building coach in the project management sphere, traveler and dogs lover. Scott also works on his own project AutoExpertGuides. Follow him on Twitter.

*DogsBestLife.com is a participant in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to let our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com. 

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