• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dog's Best Life

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Driving with your dog: Avoid these risks

Posted August 24, 2020

 
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.  

Buy Dog Carriers & Travel Supplies Today – Shop over 1,000 Brands at Chewy!*

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 dog 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. 

 

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean

 

Related Posts

  • dog car seat
    Avoid doggie road trip disasters

    Prepare for doggie road trip disasters from bees to bears…

  • Pick the perfect dog-friendly road trip destination
    Choose dog-friendly road trip destinations

    Pick perfect dog-friendly road trip destinations. Consider size or breed…

  • Get ready for an adventure using these dog road trip rules.
    Dog road trip rules

    CarRentals created this dog road trip rules guide, which includes an…

  • dog-friendly trip
    Prepare for a dog-friendly trip

    Plan a dog-friendly trip with a little help from the…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Travel, Home Page Tagged With: Dog safety, Driving

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Dog behavior: Understand pawing

  • puppy bite

    5 tips to stop puppy biting

  • puppy 101

    Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right

Tags

Independent dog breeds Cats dalmatian Canine autism dog quotes collie Bulldog Small dogs Big dogs Fourth of July Chewing Pet sitter yoga Cancer Chasing Dog temperament Biting pekingese Environment Valentine's Day Ear infection Dependent dog breeds Paw New Year Dog walks ferrets Boston Terrier Dogs eat grass Poodle Health conditions

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • 7 foods dogs should avoid eating
    Be aware of foods your dog should avoid eating because they are toxic and could potentially cause choking, weakness, or death.  […]
  • 10 tips to save money on pet supplies
    Check our list of the top 10 ways to save money on pet supplies so you can enjoy your animal companion for less. […]
  • Does your dog need a breed-specific health supplement?
    Breed-specific health supplements fill nutrition gaps and provide support for joints as well as promote eyesight and a lustrous coat.  […]
  • Why does my dog smell like iron?
    If you notice a strange, iron, or metallic smell surrounding your beloved furry friend, the prime culprit is your dog’s anal glands. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2021 Dog's Best Life online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.