Do dogs need a car seat?
Yes, just like you, your dog needs to be restrained in the car. During an accident, a dog can fly through a windshield or out an open window. He can crash into the back of the front seat or into the dashboard. Just like you, your unrestrained dog can be seriously injured — or even killed — if you get into an accident.
What is the law about dogs in cars UK?
The Highway Code requires dogs (and other animals) to be ‘suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly’ (rule 57).
What are the dogs in cars laws for the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales)?
All dogs must be restrained with a dog seat belt, dog car harness, pet carrier, cage or dog guard.
This law has been put in place to prevent distracted driving and to ensure the welfare of animals.
Driving with your dog on your lap, or even unrestrained on your back seat can be as distracting as texting or talking on the phone. Just one second of distraction is all it takes to be part of a road accident. So, even just petting your dog, tossing him a treat or taking a quick picture is very dangerous. It is dangerous not only for you and your dog, but for everyone else on the road. Runa Hanaghan, the deputy veterinary director of The Dogs Trust, spelled out the danger, saying: “It’s important to restrain dogs in the car both for their own safety and that of everyone else. If an accident happens, the dog can be thrown forward and injured. It can also act like a missile within the vehicle and hit other occupants.”
The UK law recommends that drivers restrain dogs with use of a dog seat belt, dog car harness, a guard for larger dogs, or a crate or carrier for smaller ones.
What are the penalties for driving with an unrestrained dog?
Drivers caught with unrestrained dogs in their vehicles, could potentially face a huge fine of up to £2,500 and nine driving licence points. In extreme cases, it could even lead to a driving ban. If you are shocked at this news, you are not alone. Research conducted by Confused.com found that more than half the drivers (64%) were unaware of the potential penalties for driving with an unrestrained dog. There’s no direct penalty, however, drivers could be pulled over by police and accused of driving without due care and attention.
Additionally, driving with an unrestrained dog can also affect a driver’s car insurance. Firstly, those involved in a road accident caused by an unrestrained dog driving can invalidate the driver’s insurance. Therefore, they would be personally responsible for paying for any repairs in the event of a claim. Additionally, dog owners should expect a jump in their future insurance payments.
Traveling With Your Pet
In today’s post, I will be answering some of the most commonly asked questions about where dogs should be in a car.
This article is lengthy – here’s what we’re covering today! Feel free to jump to the content you’re looking for Table Of Contents
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After several hours of going through some rabbit holes about crash-tested harnesses, crates, and Ontario rules and regulations, I have come up with this handy diagram to help you determine where the ideal place to put your dog should be based on your car type:
As a general rule of thumb, keeping your dog restrained/secured in the backseat is the best place to put your dog in a car to minimize distractions and injuries. If you have a larger car like an SUV or minivan, the trunk and rear seats keep your passenger seats free for your family and friends.
Beyond just basic safety concerns, there are also some places in the car that are less than ideal because… well they’re illegal here in Ontario! That’s right, depending on where you put your dog in the car you can actually get fined a pretty hefty sum in Ontario!
The next section will cover all these different places. Afterwards, we’ll be doing a deep dive into:
Beyond distractions though, the back seat and open trunk is also the safest place for your dog. Much like us, a properly restrained dog in the back will have a drastically higher chance of survival and lower chances of injury in a motor vehicle collision.
Here are some fast facts from Volvo Car USA and Harris Poll’s joint study on how unrestrained pets impact the driving experience:
Considering the importance of restraining your pet in the car, the pet industry also offers hundreds of pet restraint products in the market. Learning about the different types and selecting the best one for your pet can be a tricky choice – but I’ve got you here too!
In conclusion, if you’re looking to reduce driving distractions, avoid fines, or are just looking for the safest place to put your dog, the best place to do so is to secure your dog in the backseat of most cars with CPS-certified pet restraints that best fits your car’s size and your dog’s needs.
While researching for this post, these are the resources that I found the most valuable as references. Happy fact-checking and reading!