Driving with pets

by Tamsin McCahill on 29.01.08

While screaming children maybe a distraction, at least they can’t get out of their car seats and start clambering all over you. The same can’t be said for the family puppy. If you haven’t bought a crate or a harness, even a normally well-behaved pet can suddenly get spooked and make a dive for your lap.

The RAC Foundation found nearly 90% of people who have to take an animal with them in the car have been distracted by their pet when driving, while 11% had nearly crashed into the car in front because of their furry friends.

And it’s something we shouldn’t take too lightly. Leaving your Labrador unrestrained on the back seat might not just be distracting. Should you have to make an emergency stop, your dog could be thrown forward and killed – or worse, kill you or your front seat passenger. RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King told the BBC: “In a 30mph collision, an unrestrained dog can be thrown forward with the force equivalent to a small elephant.”

So what’s the best way to keep you and your pet safe in the car? Here are our top tips:

1. Invest in some method to keep your dog safe and restrained while you drive. You can get seatbelt harnesses, pet carriers, dog cages or dog guards for your boot. Pet carriers can be held in place with the seatbelt, or wedged in the footwell of the passenger seat. Cages should be large enough for your dog to move around in.
2. Get your pet used to travelling in the car so it doesn’t distract you while you drive. Go on practice runs – short drives of five minutes or so – and gradually lengthen the amount of time it spends in the car.
3. Never let your dog stick its head out of the window. It’s dangerous to other road users, plus dirt and insects can get into its eyes and nose.
4. If your dog barks every time you pass another dog in the street, try covering its cage or the rear windows so that it can’t see out.
5. If you’re in an accident, don’t let your pet out of the car until it has calmed down fully – unless of course it’s in danger from other traffic or a fire.

Read part three-> Dangerous daydreaming
Back to introduction-> Car safety - what you can do

IMAGE by Flickr user Frazzled Jen