"We care about him. Without proper restraint, a simple joyride with your furry friend could result in harsh consequences for everyone. Justin Sims has traveled long distances with his cat, Simo, in the car. A pet's actions inside the vehicle may distract the driver, leading to speeding, moving violations, and accidents. (More on that in a moment.) The bill passed unanimously in the House Transportation Committee in March and went to the House floor, as reported by WCIA-TV in Champaign, Illinois. All rights reserved. While driving under the influence was once the major focus of safety on the road, distracted driving of all kinds has gained national attention in recent years. But I will admit, years ago when I had a dog, he was not secured in a carrier or with a seat belt when riding in my car. There are many products available to safely restrain your pet. When I drive with my cats in the car, I always have them in a pet carrier. Many respondents knew the proper way to secure a pet in the car: pet carriers (51%) and seat belt harnesses (46%). The vet said the kitten had a concussion and her front leg had nerve damage. There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport; however, there was a bill that was proposed about properly restraining a dog when being transported in a truck bed, but it was vetoed in 2014. This one involves the widely practiced habit of choosing to drive with a dog sitting on your lap. Remember that cars heat up fast even with the windows cracked! They are states that can fine you for not only distracted driving but for other animal-related laws, according to Parade. The reason is simple. But that doesn't mean cats are safer passengers than dogs. This duty of reasonable care is arguably breached when a driver is distracted and gets into an accident. She is a very good dog, not excitable, and sweet as can be. An unrestrained 80-pound (36-kilogram) dog in a crash at only 30 mph (48-kph) will exert approximately 2,400 pounds (1,088 kilograms) of pressure. "I accelerate and brake more slowly. We asked Lindsey Wolko the founder of the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit that rates pet products for safety about these survey results. That shouldnt be allowed, right? Many pet owners choose not to confine their pets in crates whenever they bring them into their cars. Never allow pets to stick any portion of their bodies out the window. So, what does your state say in regards to this issue and do they have a law against it? According to an American Automobile Association (AAA) survey*, more than 80 percent of drivers admit that they recognize the dangers of driving with an unrestrained pet, but only 16 percent use pet restraints. Paws to Click, manufacturers of safety harnesses for dogs, found that more than 30,000 accidents a year are caused by distracted drivers, including drivers with a pet on a lap or a free-roaming pet in a car. Pets Best (CA agency #0F37530) is a licensed insurance agency located at 10840 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277. Respondents cited several reasons for not restraining their pets in their vehicles. Most pet parents are concerned about their pets in the car, but they don't practice safe habits. I then drove the rest of the way to the vet's office. See the Gorilla Grip seat cover. Insurance doesn't have to be complicated. You put yourself and your best friend in danger by having them on your lap where they could hit the steering wheel or distract you in other ways. Twenty-three percent admitted to using their hands or arms to secure their pet when they hit the brakes. Answer: We reached out to the Harris County Sheriff's Office and Sergeant Dashana Cheek says there is no verbiage in the Texas Transportation Code that says driving with a pet on your lap. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This increases the fines involved. Pets should never be transported in the bed of a pickup truck. Pets Best and the insurers are not affiliated with Progressive. Seventeen percent of respondents who drove with their pet nearly one in five admitted to either allowing their pet to sit on their lap, or holding their pet while driving. Keeping your pet secured in your vehicle also prevents you from driving while distracted. Insurance carrier website ranking by Keynova Group Q4 2022 Online Insurance Scorecard. To help your pet feel more at ease in your car, have them sit in your car while it is parked in your garage or driveway. The first was a bill that would make it illegal to drive with your dog in your lap, and the second was a Safe Driving with Pets Task Force which would have provided recommendations on safely transporting an animal. If the pet barks suddenly near the drivers ear, the driver could be startled and lose control of the car. Open all . Note that a pet must be restrained when riding in an unenclosed space such as a flat-bed truck. At least one state -- Hawaii -- makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle while holding an animal in your lap (or even allowing an animal to be "in the driver's immediate area") if it interferes with the driver's ability to control the car. But most pet owners do not restrain or contain in any way.". Catch what's new from Progressive online, on TV, and on the road. A new law, AB 47 goes into effect in July 2021. During these trips, most pet parents aren't prioritizing the right things when it comes to pet car safety. However, having a dog on your lap while driving can cause conditions that may make it dangerous or illegal to drive. It was a horrible situation. Cats have been partially to blame for car accidents as well. Legal if the animal is asleep. If you leave your cat loose in your vehicle, they could crawl around your feet, causing problems when you need to brake. Simple preventative measures like practicing good driving habits and properly restraining your pets can reduce your risk of crashing and the severity of injuries if a crash occurs but we have to actually use those methods. Calculate how much you can afford. Increased awareness would likely also make a great difference. Seeing dogs roam around freely in the car as the owner drives is something I see way more often than not, and I always think to myself, is that safe? Do you allow your pet to ride in the car unsecured? (Yikes!). It isn't uncommon to see someone driving along with a dog looking out the driver's seat window rather than in the back with a pet carrier. There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but you can be ticketed if an officer thinks your pet (whether they are sitting on your lap or not) is obstructing your view and making it unsafe for you to drive. Some people hold smaller animals in their lap while driving, thinking they can protect them by holding them tight in the event of an accident. But what about their dog's safety? So, of course, we're going to do what needs to be done. Additionally, a few respondents noted that they wanted their dog to be able to put his head out the window. "I believe that education and awareness is a critical tool to help pet owners understand that certain behaviors are more risky than others.". Infiniti Continues Its 2023 Winning Streak. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. According to Monteiro, there are a lot of ways beyond just distractions that unrestrained dogs can be hazards. 2 days of "and the lord heard me - i have my answers" || nsppd || 6th july 2023 Terms and conditions apply. As of 2012, dogs are required to be properly secured or restrained while being transported in a vehicle or under the physical control of a passenger. I am curious to know what the laws are in your country. (since its secondary offense, riding with a pet in your lap can not initiate a traffic stop, but your behavior as a result of being distracted by your pet or driving recklessly can initiate the stop , followed by a secondary violation of the pet being the distraction). For instance, many pet products claim to pass Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. There is no law, but cruel and inhuman animal transport practices are banned in the state. Hawaii, New Jersey, and Rhode Island ban drivers from driving with pets in their laps more. Fact check: False claim World Economic Forum suggests killing pets to help climate. In the aftermath of an accident, some dogs may become panicked and try to attack first responders; unrestrained pets can also escape, get hit by a car, or bolt and become lost. ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Could you be fined for driving with your pet in your lap?News 13 viewer Christina Palucha wanted to know why drivers are not ticketed for distracted driving when they have an . California law states that a pet may be unrestrained within an enclosed vehicle. "They think, 'I'm just going on a short trip to the vet. At American Humane, we believe in the power of second chances, new beginnings, and life-changing partnerships. A little prep goes a long way. But as with other precautions like using a seatbelt harness, relatively few drivers in our survey (25%) carried a policy. The BC SPCA recommends "airline type" (not cardboard) cat travel carriers to keep your cat safe. A 2011 AAA/Kurgo survey all but verified that: Nearly six in 10 (56 percent) respondents said they had driven with their dog at least once a month in the past year, and more than 50 percent said the dog passengers diverted their attention from the road, whether because they were preventing the dogs from climbing into the front seat (19 percent) or reaching into the back seat to interact with them (18 percent). In fact, Dr. Roth says that driving with an unrestrained cat in the car creates particularly serious hazards. But one thing is likely: Even if your state does not strictly prohibit you from driving with a dog in your lap, if he's causing you to drive dangerously, the police will probably find some way to cite you. And, while we love our pets and want them to enjoy every experience with us, the safest place for them (and everyone else riding along) is to be properly secured in the back seat or cargo area of your vehicle. While some of these actions may help calm the pet down, they should be done by a passenger rather than the driver. "Our cat does not like the car," he says. Driving with a pet on the drivers lap opens a driver to a lawsuit for negligence if an accident results. Some areas have specific requirements for restraining pets, and some have no rules for pet car safety at all. "We had to medicate him. I dont find this to be a distraction at all. I actually feel safer with her in my lap because if I were to get into an accident I would know that I could protect her., Sarah Merritt also drives with her small dog on her lap. $50 fine!!!. Injury bills can add up quickly for pets if you don't have insurance Dr. Roth says, "Fractures can be $4,0005,000." Progressive can pay out a limited amount for your pet's vet bills if you're in a covered accident and have collision coverage. *https://media.acg.aaa.com/georgia-aaa-traveling-with-unrestrained-pet-can-cause-serious-injury-or-death.htm. American Humane is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. As for restraints, you may be wondering how to make that work. Distracted driving in California is more than just texting or using a cell phone while driving. Whether or not these restraints or Michigan's driving with a dog in the lap will become law is anyone's guess. Both my hands were shredded. (Thank goodness I don't clean my car very often!) Airbags deploy enough force to hurt and even kill a pet. A similar measure was unsuccessfully introduced in 2013. Most journeys with pets are shorter more than 85% of pet parents say trips are under 25 miles, and 68% say they're 10 miles or shorter. The rules are clearly defined, as are the penalties: a ticket up to $50 for a first offense and up to $200 for repeat offenses. There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport; however, a. bill was proposed in 2012 that would prohibit driving with an unrestrained animal in vehicle, front or back; however, it did not pass. If caught, you could have to pay a $97 fine. Author: Mark Joye . Your email address will not be published. At least eight states have laws requiring owners to kennel or tether dogs or other animals. #jointheroadtrip. He was not a small dog, and didn't try to sit in my lap while I was driving, but he did stand on the front seat and put his head out the window. Never Let Your Pet Sit on Your Lap While Driving, Here Are Some Reasons. Barrier - While some pets stay in the cargo area no matter what, if your dog likes to jump over seats, you may want to consider a cargo area barrier. Drivers may not use cellphones behind the wheel, except for work-related or emergency . Our survey also found that common risks vary by type of pet. According to AAA an unrestrained 10-pound (4.5-kilogram) dog in a 30-mph (48-kph) motor vehicle crash will exert roughly 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of pressure. I've seen people driving with their small dogs on their laps, and one friend's dog used to stand on the front seat with his front paws on the dashboard. They're then likely to get lost or get hit by another vehicle on the road. Is it illegal to drive with a pet on your lap? The type of pet vehicle safety device you select will depend on the size, temperament, and type of pet you have. Progressive Advantage Agency, Inc. (PAA) refers consumers to Pets Best Insurance Services LLC (Pets Best), which offers and administers pet insurance coverage underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, a New York insurance company headquartered at 6100 4th Ave. S. Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98108, or Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. Moreover, unrestrained pets can become hazards themselves during an accident. Allowing the dog to sit in your lap or holding the dog while driving (17%) Giving food or treats to the dog (13%) Playing with the dog (4%) Taking a photo of the dog (3%) Distracted Driving Laws in California Contrary to popular belief, distracted driving does not only refer to texting while driving. We may think it is cute, but it can be dangerous as well. Having your pet properly restrained can prevent them from escaping, flying forward in your vehicle, or being hurt in a crash. When it comes to actually using pet car safety products, Wolko stresses the importance of car training, especially for crash-rated products that can be more restrictive. A dog in a harness should be in the middle of the back seat. This is especially true when the pet rides on the drivers lap while driving. There are no real statistics to say exactly how many crashes and other traffic incidents are caused by pets riding on laps. Instead, he says, put your pet in the passenger seat and use a harness designed to safely restrain them in the car. May 27, 2021 5 min read Tips for Traveling with Your Dog in the Car Whether you're going on an extended road trip or for a short drive, car travel with a dog can be a lot of fun. Any activity which distracts the driver from paying attention to the road and which may cause the driver to either lose control of the vehicle or cause an accident is considered to be distracted driving in California. But there's a problem with that claim, she says. Properly restrain, contain or crate your pets inside of your vehicle prior to your trip. TripsWithPets provides online reservations at over 30,000 pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the U.S. and Canada. Massachusetts does not tolerate animal and you could face jail time as a result of it; however, the law doesnt clearly state what is considered an inhumane way to transport an animal. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. And while we don't talk about it as much, driving with a dog in your lap is also a form of distracted driving that puts you, other drivers, and your dog at risk. National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, list of CPS-certified products on their website, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information (CA Residents Only). We see it all the time. The website features a directory of pet-friendly hotels and accommodations across the United States and Canada, as well as airline and car-rental pet policies; pet-friendly restaurants, beaches, and events; a user-friendly route search option; pet travel tips; pet travel supplies; and other pet travel resources. Our short routes put pets in the most frequent danger that makes consistent and proper pet car safety all the more important. Hawaii has made it illegal to carry a pet on one's lap while driving, and many other states have introduced, considered, or enacted legislation meant to stop drivers from traveling unsafely.
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driving while keeping your pet on your lap is:
