I know about car accidents and pets. A few decades ago, I was transporting our beloved Lhasa Apso whose name was Tasha to the veterinary clinic because of the unknown seizures. I was holding her in one hand, and with the other hand driving.
All of a sudden, the car in front of me stopped short in the middle of the road, and I slammed into him, denting his bumper and I don’t know what else. The air bags were deployed, but he didn’t get out to assess the damage.
We never exchanged license and insurance cards because, even to this day, I thought the car was stolen. He waved to me as if it was a trivial faux pas and went on his way. I was relieved, and he, even more so.
It was that moment when I remembered Tasha, who left me hand for parts unknown. It didn’t take long to locate her. She was on the floor right below the back seat, all huddled up in a ball. I picked her up without resistance and calmed her down by stroking her head before proceeding to the vet’s clinic.
Along with seizures, now I wanted to know if she hit her head while being thrown to the floor. (Spoiler’s alert: she was fine physically and a mystery continued for why she had seizures).
I found out in a recent survey by AAA some interesting facts:
- 52% had pet their dog while driving (as I did)
- 17% allowed their dog to sit in their lap while driving (as I did)
- 13% gave food or treats to their dog while driving (as I did)
- 4% acknowledged playing with their dog while driving (as I did)
Aleksandrs Buraks, Executive at DiscoverCars.com, said, “Whether you’re driving across the country with your dog [or cat] or simply down the road, it’s important you follow the rules and laws of the state you’re in. Some states have strict rules about securing your pet in your vehicle, and breaking them can not only result in a fine—but you risk the safety of yourself, your pet, and everyone else around you.”
Similar to small kids, pets also tend to fall beneath of the average height and weight of most adults. Pets can be at risk of injury by an airbag in a car accident, yet very few states acknowledge unrestrained animals’ danger to drivers, passengers, and themselves.
Done by using a 12-pound canine crash test dummy, the test showed that at a speed of only 30 mph, an unrestrained dog will strike a obstacle with 650 pounds of force on impact. In the event of a car accident, untethered pets will most likely try to escape a vehicle if windows are broken, and can then easily get lost or hit by other vehicles.
The AAA survey said also 84% of the pet owners said that they have driven with their pets on a variety of non-essential car trips, yet only 16% used, or regularly use, any type of pet-restraint safety system.
Pet Restraint Driving Laws
For Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine, distracted-driving laws can be used to charge drivers with pets on their laps. Other states are on their way to enacting laws addressing the strict law that unrestrained pets present in the car.
In New Jersey, police can stop a driver they believe is wrongly transporting an animal. Tickets range from $250 – $1,000 per pet, and a driver can face a disorderly offense under animal cruelty laws. In the past, said a NJ officer, have revealed drivers with dogs hanging their heads out of windows, drivers with cats reclining on their dashboards, and one driver with a bird relaxing on his shoulder.
In Hawaii, the law prohibits drivers from having any unrestrained animal in their car at all. You can be fined $97 dollars for driving with a dog in your lap and $57 if the animal is unrestrained in a moving vehicle.
Pet Safety Harnesses
A pet seat belt is made of flexible straps that fit all kinds of dogs and cats. One might also buy different types of seat belt harnesses that protect pets by attaching to existing seat belts in vehicles. And the safest place for a dog or cat to be secured is in the middle of the back seat.
Crates and kennels were made for traveling. The travel crate should always be properly secured by a seat belt. If it isn’t, the crate could be thrown forward if the driver brakes suddenly and is involved in crash.
Pet advisors as well as roadway experts suggest that owners say secure their pets safely if they elect to take them on car trips. Restraint systems not only help keep pets from unruly drivers, but also help protect animals and other passengers if a car accident were to happen.
Hawaii, New Jersey, and Rhode Island are the three states that have laws traveling with your pet in the car. The officers could be fine you if your dog is not secured in a harness, seatbelt, carrier, or crate.
Some states have laws that mean personal problems if you drive with a dog or other pet in your lap, for example, known as distracted driving. Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa are some of the states that have distracted driver laws.
Some states have laws prohibiting driving with unsecured animals in the open bed of your vehicle like Oregon, Washington, and New Hampshire. It could be dangerous for both the animals and other road drivers, as unsecured pets could easily fall out and become severely injured and/or cause a serious mishap.
The majority of states have laws prohibiting leaving your animal in the vehicle in conditions that could endanger its life. This includes not leaving them in extreme hot or cold temperatures or in a vehicle that is not ventilated, as well as providing proper food and water, too.
For rental cars, make sure that the car rental company permits animals in the vehicle. if allowed, you’ll need to take precautions to ensure you return the car in pristine condition. A comfortable crate for your dog or cat will protect the seats from any dog or cat hair that you’ll need to recover at the end of the trip.
When taking your pet to another state or territory, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you may need to talk to your veterinarian because some states may have animal health requirements, and you may need to update your animal’s vaccinations and obtain a health certificate before going.
If you’ve never traveled with your dog or cat before, here are some suggestions to think about before setting off on your journey:
- Keep your vehicle cool, shaded, and ventilated on warm, and especially hot, days to make sure your pet is able to relax continuously.
- Stopping at gas stations on your way is a great way to give your “leashed” dog or cat some time outside in the fresh air. In addition, you should stop every 3 hours or so to let them out for a bathroom break and exercise.
- If your dog or cat has never traveled before, it can be a new experience for them. So by giving their “comfort” toys could help make the experience more desirable for them.
This writer says, “The only animals my mother liked were those that were ‘contained’ — fish in an aquarium, duck in a cardboard box, a bird in the cage.” I never had the experience of raising dogs and cats as a child. That is one of my top regrets.
Helpful information, I always worry about dogs hanging their heads out of windows.