Do pets pose another threat to safe driving?

[The Straight Story]

Do pets pose another threat to safe driving?


LOS ANGELES - Man's best friend is not a driver's best friend.

While lawmakers have been banning drivers from texting or using cell phones, many motorists are riding around with another dangerous risk - their dogs.

Experts say an unrestrained dog - whether curled up on a lap, hanging out the window or resting its paws on the steering wheel - can be deadly. Tens of thousands of car accidents are believed caused every year by unrestrained pets, though no one has solid numbers.

"An unrestrained pet can be hugely distracting - if he is seeking your attention, putting his face right in front of yours, starts chewing up the upholstery or is vomiting because he is carsick," said Katherine Miller, director of applied science and research for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/21/20110121pets-driving-distraction.html#ixzz1BmUu2Tmc

[notadmblnd]

1. you think they will ever run out of dangers to save us from?

[The Straight Story]

2. No, they should ban all things some people like that others don't, then they will be happy

and sadly so many on both sides of the aisle will cheer them on while it happens.

[lukasahero]

3. If you love your pet

you'd have them restrained in some way while in your vehicle. It's stupid and dangerous to have them on your lap while you're cruising down the highway at 70 mph.

You'd think common sense would tell us that.

[suston96]

5. Restrain them with a crate, well padded, and immobilized. nt

[WingDinger]

4. I need to invent the doggy seat belt. They SHOULD be used.

Who cares if Progressive covers your pet! It is time to make fido safe.

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. There's already something kind of like that

I have a couple that I use to transport my two dogs. The dog wears his normal halter. The doggy seat belt clips into the vehicles already installed seat belt on one end while the other end clips onto the halter. When you arrive at your destination you simply unclip the doggy seat belt and clip on the leash and you're ready to go. The doggy seat belts I have are designed so that the length can be adjusted to accomodate different size dogs.

[obxhead]

9. Beat me to it. Here's one of many links to the device.

http://www.petsafetybelt.com/?gclid=CK-_3bGkzqYCFULNKgodMwpTIA

They work wonderfully. Keeps the dog in the back seat where they belong.

[barbiegeek]

10. Oh they Have One!!! My kennel sells them

BUT we need more effective ones for smaller dogs.

[Coyote_Bandit]

11. They also make them for cats

A friend uses a cat seat belt harness for her small toy dog. Usually she puts the dog on top of a cushion so he can see out the car window. Works great.

[Motown_Johnny]

12. those have been around for decades

they attach to a harness the dog wears


the other end can attach to a conventional seat belt or you can bolt it down to the bed of your pickup

[Motown_Johnny]

7. Mine stay in the back seat at all times. It seems to be the safest thing for all concerned

[H2O Man]

8. I have the same

type of cage/bars between my front and back seats that one associates with police vehicles. Without that, some of my dogs would pose a problem.