Fun

Here’s How To Keep Everyone Safe When Driving With A Dog

Written by: Zoe Costello

August 13, 2015

There is nothing better than hitting the open road with your four-legged best buddy, but before you roll those windows down and start scream-singing Tom Cochrane, there’s a few things you should know.

Kurgo, a company whose business is traveling with dogs, teamed up with AAA to do some research on driving safety with our dogs. According to a survey of people who drive with their dog:

52% admit to occasionally shifting their attention away from the road to tend to their dog
23% say they’ve used their hands or arms to hold their dog in place while coming to a stop
19% use their hands/arms to keep dog from climbing into the front seat
17% allow their dogs to sit in their lap while they drive
13% admit to feeding them treats while driving
3% take selfies with their dog while driving

“Hold up, hold up… selfies?!”

via GIPHY

Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, a Traffic Safety Programs manager at AAA National says:

Drivers should use a pet restraint system for your dog every time their pet is in the vehicle. 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.

Pet owners with dogs only interested in sleeping in the back seat also need to take precautions. According to the Kurgo/AAA report, “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.”

Surveysaywhatnow?

Thankfully Subaru recently joined forces with the Center for Pet Safety for their 2015 Crate and Carrier Crashworthiness Study to find the best products on the market. These were their top picks:

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

We put our kids in car seats, make sure our loved ones are buckled up, and get mad if someone is distracting us while we’re driving. Our dogs are part of our family and should be treated no differently! Now go drive safe, and enjoy the ride!

^ But don’t do that.

H/t via Forbes
Featured image via @de_li_lah

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Written by: Zoe Costello

August 13, 2015

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