Nowadays when families want to get away, most are heading out on road trips. These excursions often involve bringing the whole family along, including the furkids. So, to ensure safe travels for all two- and four-legged passengers, it’s important to be aware of a very real pet travel safety issue – pets and distracted driving.
When we think of distracted driving, there are typical “culprits” that come to mind: texting, eating, applying makeup, chatting on the phone, and even daydreaming. However, we seldom consider that traveling with an unsecured pet is a very real and dangerous distraction.
TripsWithPets recently polled pet parents who often drive with their pets. Our poll uncovered a whopping 60 percent partake in unsafe distracted driving habits when it comes to their furkids. Additionally, while 42 percent of respondents admitted to being distracted by their four-legged travel companions, 77 percent indicated that they do not drive with their pets safely secured in their vehicles!
It’s pretty easy to see how an unsecured pet can be a distraction while driving. Some pets may become anxious or excited, causing them to jump around or bark while in the vehicle. Additionally, a happy and loving pet may want to sit near you and crawl on your lap while you’re driving, which may lead you to focus more on Rover than on the road. Also, drivers in our poll revealed they are often petting their dogs, putting them on their laps, and frequently turning around or checking their mirrors to see if their pups are okay. Further, 25 percent of pet parents admitted to snapping pictures with their pups while driving!
Properly securing your pet in your vehicle is not only about alleviating potentially dangerous driving distractions; it is also a proactive approach to keeping your pet safe if you need to make a sudden stop. We all know that accidents happen, and even a minor fender bender can injure an unsecured pet. A more serious vehicle accident can, unfortunately, lead to unrestrained pets being seriously harmed or even killed, especially if they’re thrown from a vehicle. Not only that, but a pet who is free to roam in a vehicle can put others in danger due to the force of impact from an accident. Additionally, airbags can go off and injure a pet in your lap, and unsecured pets who become frightened can easily escape from your vehicle and run away after an accident.
Drivers and human passengers wear seatbelts for safety in case of an accident, and we should all take the same care to secure our pets. Ensuring pets are safe while traveling in your vehicle means finding a pet safety restraint that is right for them. Options include pet seat belts, pet car seats, travel crates, and vehicle pet barriers. Planning to have the right pet safety restraint for your trip will not only keep you and your pet safe but also offers peace of mind and eliminates one more distraction.
So the next time you’re out driving with your pooch, whether on a road trip or simply running errands, think twice before letting your four-legged sidekick ride on your lap or jump around in the back seat. Keep your pets secured to cut down on distracted driving so everyone stays safe!
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