Legislation targets pets in drivers’ laps

[The Straight Story]

NASHVILLE — Tennessee motorists would risk getting ticketed for letting pets sit in their laps while driving under a local lawmaker’s bill that passed the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, said his bill was intended to curb accidents, citing the story of a Nashville traffic fatality related to him by a former legislative secretary.

“One of her best friends was killed and the animal she was with was killed,” Cobb said. “She was trying to maintain the dog while it was crawling around the vehicle.”

Earlier, Cobb had Transportation Committee members amend the bill, which originally would have required any animal riding in the front portion of a vehicle be restrained by a harness, box, crate or passenger.

Cobb called the original version “ridiculous,” saying the bill as drafted went too far.


http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/mar/09/legislation-targets-pets-drivers-laps/

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I can't believe the number of drivers I see...

...with Muffy hanging out of the driver's window, or climbing all over their laps.

What is with these people?

How can the text or talk on the cellphone with an animal in the way?

[el_bryanto]

4. When i have to take my dog to the vet I have her on my lap

unless you want to invest in a car carrier (which for 5-10 times a year I don't) I'm not sure there's a better solution.

I don't use my cellphone while driving though (until last year I didn't have a cell phone). So maybe that balances out.

Bryant

[MadHound]

5. Why not put the dog in a crate?

They're inexpensive, and you can at least buckle them in using the handle of the crate:shrug:

There are also harnesses that are fairly inexpensive that you can use to buckle up your pup, some even allow the dog limited freedom of movement.

Carrying a pet on your lap is simply asking for distraction and trouble, it isn't fair to either you or your pet.

[el_bryanto]

6. i have a crate

But it is too big to put in the car as it is a sleeping crate.

She just kind of stares ot the window while we drive, only getting worked up when get to the actual vet.

Bryant

[MadHound]

7. Then seriously, I suggest that you look into one of the harness systems.

It isn't safe for either you or your pet do ride with her on your lap. I would really hate it if your pup wound up as an airbag.

I always buckle my dogs up when they're riding, and a good thing too. I had some idiot who was talking on their phone rear end me at a high rate of speed last fall. My pup very well could have gone flying through the window, except for the fact she was buckled in. As it was, she simply curled up and went to sleep as I took care of the post crash details.

[LiberalFighter]

2. How did the LA know the best friend was killed because of the dog was unrestrained?

Was there a police report with witnesses stating that fact?
The legislative assistant couldn't have been in the vehicle otherwise she would had been holding the dog. Or the dog would had been in the back.
Not likely to have been any witnesses unless the vehicle windows were untinted.

I just don't trust second hand information.

[MadHound]

3. Not difficult to surmise what happened,

When Muffy winds up as the driver side airbag:shrug:

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. A dog that is harnessed

in the front passenger seat can still get at least partially into the driver's seat if you use a harnessing system that buckles into the car's seat belt restraint system. And a dog that is restrained with such a harness can still stand in the seat and look out the car window.

I've used such a restraint system for a decade. I restricts the dog's mobility and prevents them from getting or being thrown out of the vehicle - or into the dashboard or the seat in front of them. But because it permits the dog to sit, stand or lie it also permits the dog to have lateral movement.

Crates can poses the potential for eye injuries to some dogs - particularly those with smushed in faces and protruding eyes.

A harness system restrains and protects the dog and a responsible dog owner can usually train the dog to ride well.

[NeedleCast]

9. Seems Resonable

Since I drive a Jeep Wrangler and regularly have the top off of it in good weather, we keep our dog in a harnass when she rides in the Jeep. Not only do I have to not worry about her interfearing with my driving, I also don't have to worry about her exiting the vehicle when she spots something small and furry. She doesn't seem to mind it, and I think it cost 15 bucks.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. As a motorcyclist, I am all for this

While MC riders are some of the few who understand why a dog puts its nose out the window, distracted drivers are a menace to all of us on the road.