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SALT LAKE CITY — Millions of dogs reside in American households and an increasing number of these furry companions accompany their families on road trips, day trips and local errands. Although including your pet in these activities can be incredibly rewarding, it can also be dangerous. Having a dog in the vehicle can mean added distractions to the driver and added danger to all passengers, including pets.
Nearly one in five respondents admitted to taking their hands off the wheel while driving to keep their dog from climbing into the front seat of the car. This troubling statistic was discovered during a survey of 1,000 dog owners conducted by AAA and Kurgo (a leading manufacturer of pet travel products).
Distracted driving is a dangerous practice. As we head into the summer months, many people are making preparations for the next hiking adventure or camping trip with Fido. This is a great time to review common mistakes made by drivers when a dog is in the car. Creating awareness of these common behaviors will help drivers minimize distractions.
Hands Free Driving
Having a dog in the car increases the likelihood that a driver with take his or her hands off the steering wheel. Many drivers admit to taking their hands off the wheel to pet their dog or hold their dog in place while braking. Others will take their attention away from the road to keep their dog from climbing into the front seat.
Lap Riders
Another dangerous practice involves allowing your dog to ride in your lap while you are driving. Animals are spontaneous and unpredictable. A dog could suddenly leap up to look out the window, reach up to lick your face and inhibit your line of vision or climb down by your feet perhaps knocking your foot off the pedal or making it impossible to break. You wouldn’t drive with your child on your lap and you shouldn’t drive with your dog on your lap either.
Pet Photography
AAA has made it a point to educate the public about the danger of taking “selfies” while driving. It is also dangerous to take photos of others in your car if you are behind the wheel. While it might be tempting to take that perfect shot of your dog licking the steering wheel, this is an incredibly risky practice. Looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.
Treat Time
Giving your dog food or treats while you are behind the wheel not only involves distracted driving, it also encourages your dog to engage in unsafe practices. If a dog knows that a person has treats in his or her lap, the animal is much more likely to jump on the driver and initiate an crash.
Unrestrained Play
Although many drivers acknowledge that having an unrestrained dog in a moving car can be dangerous, very few of those drivers use a pet restraint. In the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can suffer serious injury and even death. The animal can also cause serious injury to the other passengers in the car, especially children. Using a pet restraint can aid in limiting distractions and help protect both pets and passengers.
Safety should be the top priority for all drivers. Although our four-legged friends can bring a lot of joy to a family during a road trip, they can also be dangerous diversions for drivers. It is important for drivers to remain focused and minimize distractions. Learning about some of the common mistakes made by drivers who are traveling with dogs will help people be more aware and more focused while behind the wheel.
Rolayne Fairclough handles media relations, government relations and community involvement for AAA Utah.
