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According to a survey of the habits of 1,000 dog owners, released Wednesday by AAA and Kurgo, a maker of pet travel products, two out of three dog owners had driven while distracted by their dog. More than half the drivers admitted to petting their dog while driving. One out of five drove with a dog on their lap and just 17 percent of owners in the study used any kind of pet restraint system.
"Even looking away from the roadway for two seconds can increase your risk of a crash," AAA National Traffic Safety Programs Manager Jennifer Huebner-Davidson told Paw Nation.
In addition to creating distractions, dogs can become hazardous to themselves or others during an accident, Huebner-Davidson said. In a 30-miles-per-hour accident, a 50-pound dog flying through the air will hit the windshield or another passenger with the force of a 2,400 pound object. Unrestrained dogs are also at risk of running away or attacking emergency responders out of fear, she said.
Animal harnesses or travel crates that hook into the backseat can greatly limit those risks, she said. Bark Buckle Up, a pet travel safety group, offers a list of safe-travel products. Pet-safety advocates also recommend keeping dogs in the back seat because passenger-side airbags can be deadly to a dog during a crash, even if the animal is buckled in.
"We'd like to see dogs buckled up in the backseat, just like children," Huebner-Davidson said. "The word hasn't really gotten out yet that it's important. They are very much a part of our family, and we need to protect them, but also everyone else who is in the vehicle."
Statistics about dog-related distractions aren't available, but news reports highlight the risks:
- In June 2009, two people were killed in a head-on collision when a dog jumped in his owner's lap, causing him to veer his motor home into oncoming traffic.
- In April, a Minnesota man lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a utility pole when his dog started vomiting on him.
- Horror author Stephen King was badly injured in 1999 while walking along the shoulder of a road in Maine, when he was hit by a minivan whose driver was trying to control an unrestrained rottweiler.
Tell us Paw Nation, do you always buckle up your pet? How do you keep from getting distracted when you have your adorable pooch with you in the car?
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More often than not someone is in the car with me when i'm taking my dog too and they're holding her in their lap (she's only 6 lbs.). When it's just me and her I make sure she stays in the passenger seat, and I keep the leash around my right wrist. When I first got her she always wanted to stay in my lap, but she's learned that she can't "drive" anymore.
my dog is 3ft tall 4ft long 125lbs when he looks out the drivers door window [the only one that works for dogs] he blocks my view of everything! so he rides in the back of the jeep behind a very strong cargo net bolted to the roll bar.
I have a harness for my Beagle, Dillon, which I use whenever we go in the car. It's just a regular harness from the pet store, and I put the seatbelt through the harness strap that's located between his shoulder blades. I lock him in either the front or back seat and he can lie down or sit and look out the window. I don't roll down the window for him because 1- the air in the vehicle is more climate controlled and cleaner (free from soot & dust getting into his eyes causing problems) and 2- because it's safer all around for many reasons evident from the accidents above.
Dillon knows when he's going on an outing OR when he's going to the vet. But he gets into the car and allows us to lock him in. When we arrive at our destination, he's ready to come out of the car. I put a separate leash on him (leaving the harness on) before I release the belt and he knows (is trained) to wait until he's released before trying to climb out.
I've trained him not to wander around the car and he's a good boy about it.
I also have done the same for my cat(s) for years. We used to drive to VT from NYC and the cats wouldn't like the harnesses but they tolerated them. For long trips we stop regularly (every 1 1/2 - 2 hours) and give the animals a chance to stretch their legs with the kids. Everyone likes to go together as a family and the animals have learned to travel.
Also we carry water and food for the animals, but no food on a 4 hour trip to VT...only water if they want it...I put it down for them and they take what they want. We also bring cat litter so the cats are able to do their thing.
traveling safely with animals is fun because we don't have to kennel the dog or worry about a cat-sitter or someone coming into our home to feed the cat, while the cat gets lonely.
I also put a towel underneath the animals to cut down on pet hair & dust.
That is how everyone should drive with their dog. I have two and the older is harnessed in her seat and the puppy is in his crate hooked to the seat belt. That way, God forbid, something happens, they can't get thrown around or get out of the car and into traffic. It is the safest thing for everyone People that think that pets should ride on their lap, with heads out the window or in the back of a pickup truck are only asking for trouble.
We keep our dogs confined the the back behind a car cage. That way everyones protected and they can't climb all over the car or rip the leather seats. :)
It is true, dogs can be like children and do strange and distracting things, including "arguing" with one another in the back seat! Mine love to ride in car and I have been guilty of worrying about them more than the road when they are not on their best behavior. They usually are quite calm and compliant, but it only takes once! I also have thought about what would they be like if I got into a crash and some stranger was trying to help me; they might get bit because my dogs consider the car part of their territory! Good reminder...
I had a Britney Spanial that always went straight to the floor board, curled up and took a nap. My ex had two Yorkies. One would always curl up in someone's lap but the other insisted on standing in the driver's lap and looking outside. The ex thought that was cute. I didn't care for the idea so the only time I allowed her in my lap is when the ex was in the car.
I had a Britney Spanial that always went straight to the floor board, curled up and took a nap. My ex had two Yorkies. One would always curl up in someone's lap but the other insisted on standing in the driver's lap and looking outside. The ex thought that was cute. I didn't care for the idea so the only time I allowed her in my lap is when the ex was in the car.
Let the dog drive, no doubt many could drive much better than some of the idiots I've seen on the road!
LMBO....isn't that the truth LT. When our Shetland Sheepdog named Sadee was alive, and whenever I'd park and get out of the car, leaving my wife and our Shelti in the car so I could do whatever I had to go do, put gas in the car or whatever, whenever I'd return to the car to get back in, I'd look into the drivers side where I sat and there'd she be, laying down in my seat, I'd always ask her if she wanted to drive, and I'd pretend to hand her the keys. We took her with us almost everywhere we drove to in town, my wife would always make sure Sadee "our Shelti" was buckled up in the backseat while we were driving, once I'd stop and park the car to go into a store or get gas or do whatever, my wife would let her loose so she could stretch her legs a bit inside the locked car. My wife "a professional singer" can't have any children, so Sadee was like our daughter. I so miss those days.
Thanks for your funny and creative post LT. Have a good one.
~Mark~
The best way to keep a dog safe in the car is to put it in a Lookout car seat for dogs. The seatbelt goes through the car seat, a strap goes around the seatbelt and it has a hook that connects to the harness. The dog can turn around, sit down, lay down and see everything outside the car. They are ideal! We have two and our dogs never go for a ride without being securely strapped in them. They cost a little money up front but they last for years. We've had one of ours for over 7 years and it is just like new. The seat has a removable and washable cover and it is like a dog bed, very comfy and cushy. They are awesome!
I agree with Jane. I have 3 Lookout Car Seats for 4 small dogs. The two smallest share the medium size car seat. The first one I purchased three years ago and they are holding up great. I put a towel inside them so I don't have to wash the covers too often. I have friends with small dogs and they don't restrain their dogs at all. They ride in their lap or on their shoulder. They are just lucky they haven't been in an accident. Evan a toy/small dog hitting a dashboard or windshield with force will have a lot of broken bones and possibly internal injuries. Mine already came in handy. I was stopped at a red light and a minivan hit me from behind at a low speed 20 - 30 miles per hour. I had to have my bumper replaced. The woman was distracted by her child in a car seat. I had only one dog in the car at the time. Daisy was about 5 months old and weighed 6 lbs at the time. Thank God she was strapped into her car seat she would have gone flying. I know it's one of the best investments I've made in a pet product. People in Atlanta drive crazy and it's only a matter of time before your in an accident.
Now Samantha you know that Kurgo wants to sell their pet travel products don't you?
You might want to rethink their survey and statistics.
Obviously you are a caring pet owner and have very lucky dogs----
Samantha, I see where you replied to Mr Magoo who called the story an AOL lie. I agree with you that Magoo never read the story all he was basing his comment on was the AOL lead in as shown on the welcome page where it did say "Deadly habit 2 of 3 drivers admit". If he had actually read the story before commenting he would have seen what we did. But to add my 2 cents, lol, I wish I had a dollar for every time I saw someone driving with a small dog in their lap. Every time I saw this I thought to myself this is an accident waiting to happen. Sam, I commend you for your use of the dog car seats.
Samantha, I see where you responded to Mr Magoo about his post. I agree with you if Magoo had actually read the story he would have seen it was a survey of dog owners, all he was responding to was AOL's lead in on the welcome page which read, "Deadly habit 2 out of 3 drivers admit". I want to add my 2 cents, lol, I wish I had a dollar for everytime I saw someone with a small dog driving with that dog on their lap. All I could think was, there is an accident waiting to happen. Sam, I commend you for your used of approved dog seats, more people should.
Great idea about the towel Samantha. I'll give that a try because the covers aren't easy to get back on are they? Another great reason to use the doggie seat is it keeps the dog hair off the car seats. We have a poodle that doesn't shed but our Jackie Poo sure does! I highly recommend Lookout car seats for dogs (up to 30 lbs, I'm pretty sure)!
This story is nothing but a lie. The story says "two out of three drivers admit...". I seriously doubt that 2 out of three drivers even own a dog. AOL news is nothing more than made up tabloid crap.
Idiot! It's not a survey of drivers but of dog owners who happen to drive. Read the story again, fool. I'll admit I pet my dog, who is restrained, while I drive but only at red lights.
According to a survey of the habits of 1,000 dog owners, released Wednesday by AAA and Kurgo, a maker of pet travel products, two out of three dog owners had driven while distracted by their dog. More than half the drivers admitted to petting their dog while driving.
It's true!!! How could you think it's a lie?!?! Read it again!!!
I just love idiots that drive with loose dogs in whatever they are herding down the road. A dog jumped onto it's owners lap causing the driver to cross the meadian and hit a car, kiling four of the passengers and a elenen year old lost the uee of one eye and a rib punctured his lungs. Screw you and your dogs. I now have a new mission, I eradicate dogs. LOL