This may only serve to salve the sensibilities of cat aficionados, but it’s worth mentioning at the height of summer travel season. It seems Man’s Best Friend can prove to be a potentially deadly distraction when accompanying their owners behind the wheel.
According to data compiled by the AAA and pet travel product maker Kurgo, 56 percent of those surveyed said they’ve driven with their dog in the car at least once a month, with over half of them (52 percent) admitting to shifting attention away from the road to pet their either agitated or affection-starved canine companions.
Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of those driving with dogs said they’ve used their hands or arms to hold their dog in place while coming to a stop (a maneuver we’ve performed ourselves, though as a cheap way to get to second base back in our early dating years). Worse, 19 percent said they’ve used their hands or arms to prevent their dog from climbing into the front seat. That move takes one or both hands precariously off the steering wheel, and in a situation that’s already frenetic.
Among what would seem to be the most perilous behaviors reported, dog owners said they’ve reached into the back seat to attend to Fido or Fifi (18 percent), allowed the dog to sit in their laps (17 percent) and fed them food or treats while driving (13 percent). And, of course, let’s not forget that scourge of Western civilization, the selfie. At least three percent of those chauffeuring their dogs admitted to taking pictures of themselves and their canine companions while behind the wheel.
What’s the best way to minimize distractions and help maintain focus while sharing a car’s cabin with a dog? Just like the rest of us, he or she should buckle up, so to speak. “Drivers should use a pet restraint system for your dog every time their pet is in the vehicle,” says Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA National, Traffic Safety Programs manager. “A restraint will not only limit distractions, but also protect you, your pet and other passengers in the event of a crash or sudden stop.”
At that, only 16 percent of dog owners surveyed said they regularly use a pet restraint. Forty-two percent of respondents said they eschew them because their pets are sufficiently calm and don’t otherwise require a restraint. However, even if a pet is sleeping peacefully in the back seat he or she can become a dangerous projectile in an emergency stopping situation. According to the AAA, an unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert roughly 300 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately 2,400 pounds of pressure.
Pet-care experts universally recommend owners use a restraint system whenever driving with a pet aboard, even if it’s just close to home. And if it’s a road trip involving driving long distances and at highway speeds, finding a good quality dog restraint that’s comfortable and easy to use is especially important.
Unfortunately there are currently no crash-test protocols or performance standards for animal restraints as there are for child seats in the U.S., which means dog owners are more or less at the mercy of manufacturers’ claims for pet protection.
To that end, automaker Subaru recently teamed up with the Center for Pet Safety (CPS) to determine the effectiveness of such restraints and announced the results of their 2015 Crate and Carrier Crashworthiness Studies. They determined the three top models on the market to be:
- Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8' Tie Down Straps
- PetEgo Forma Frame Jet Set Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch Connection
- Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock
According to the CPS it’s critical to choose a product that’s suited to a canine’s size, shape and weight, whether it’s a crate, carrier or harness. Dogs should fit snugly in a crate or carrier, albeit with sufficient room to be able to get comfortable. It’s best to place a carrier or crate on the floor behind the front seat rather than buckling it in with seat belts. And be sure to use weight-rated cargo area anchor straps to hold a crate or carrier in place instead of using wimpy elastic or rubber bungee cords.
The full dog restraint performance report can be found at CenterforPetSafety.org.
Follow us on Forbes.com, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
See also…
