7 Surprising Dangers of Driving with Pets
PIPPA ELLIOTT
What do your dog, your cell phone, and a hamburger have in common?
Answer: They are all potentially lethal distractions when driving.
You’re a busy mom. Ferrying kids about. Dashing off to work. Not to mention finding the time to shop and walk the dog. Mind you, it helps that the dog is a good boy. He hops in the passenger seat like an angel and sits looking out the window. Your furry co-pilot. Do you buckle him up? No. It’s only a short trip.
And you’re not alone. According to a survey by TrustedChoice.com, out of a hundred people questioned, over 80% do not buckle up and use a doggy seat belt (or another method of restraint) while traveling with their canine companions.
“So what?” you ask. Unrestrained pets are a significant cause of accidents, and they are likely to suffer serious harm themselves and cause injury to other passengers.
Not convinced why you should buckle your pet? Here are some reasons why it may be in your best interest to invest in proper restraints:
#1: Canine Cruise Missile
Do you know that an adult Cocker Spaniel in a 35 mph crash is propelled forward with the force of one-and-a-half charging horses? That’s going to hurt both him and you when he hits you on the back of the head. Not only that, he could also impact the windshield and sustain serious injuries. A small Labrador in that same collision travels forward with a force equivalent to an Angus bull – dangerous for him and for you.
#2: Driving Distraction
The statistics are frightening. Annual reports from the AAA consistently show “driver distraction” is responsible for around 6,000 fatalities each year. These are potentially preventable vehicle collisions caused by the driver being distracted for as little as two seconds. That’s right – those two seconds of wandering attention actually double your chances of being in a crash. The AAA also reports that 31% of drivers admit to being distracted by a pet in the car. Indeed, 24% admitted using a hand to physically restrain their dog while they braked.
Of course, a distraction doesn’t have to be major to be dangerous. It could be a cute look, the dog throwing up, or your furry friend climbing onto your lap for a cuddle. The point is that when traveling you need to know your pet is safely restrained in the back, so you can concentrate 100% on the road.
#3: Airbag Danger
Unfortunately, if you think your pet is safe because you hold him securely on your lap – think again. In the event of a collision, your pet is in a precarious position. If the vehicle’s airbag deploys, the force of the inflation can kill the dog. Much like the manufacturer’s advice that children should not travel in the front because airbag deployment would harm them, the same goes for pets.
#4: Runaway Dog
You crash. The dog is unharmed, but still, there are problems. Why?
One scenario is that your faithful friend sees his owner is hurt and tries to protect him. This can mean guarding you and becoming aggressive when strangers approach, which is not so great when they are paramedics who are trying to rescue you. Read Full Story
