Did you know that of American households, nearly 43.3 million include the delightful presence of pets? Among these families, around 84% choose to leave pets unrestrained during travel. This would be similar to not buckling our human loved ones in a car seat or seat belt — a decision most of us would never consider. Unrestrained pets endanger everyone in the car (and in cars around them).
It’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security if you’re just taking a quick trip to the store, but you don’t need to be in an accident for your pet to be injured or become a distraction in the car. If you come to a hard stop, your bestie could end up becoming a projectile, or getting stuck on or under the pedals. Loose pets moving about the backseat could block the driver from seeing out the rear window. Some people allow pets to sit in their lap while they are driving, which is illegal in several states for the distracted driving it causes and is an all-around bad idea. Air bags are powerful and are not designed with lap pets in mind and can easily injure (or worse).
Unfortunately, even close to home, accidents do happen and something else to consider is the perspective of first responders arriving at the scene. An unrestrained and frightened pet can pose a significant danger to those trying to provide assistance. In addition, if the car is badly damaged, a scared pet can get out and run into traffic. Ensuring your pet is properly restrained not only safeguards their well-being, but also contributes to the overall safety of everyone.
There are various options available to pet owners to ensure safe travel:
- Safety Harnesses: These specially-designed safety devices resemble regular harnesses, but feature additional material to protect pets during travel.
- Seatbelt Tethers: Buckle the tether into a seatbelt and attach it to your pet’s harness for added security.
- Carriers: Ideal for smaller pets, carriers provide a contained and secure space. Remember to buckle in the carrier itself to enhance safety.
By restraining pets during car travel, we not only protect them from potential harm but also contribute to a safer driving experience for everyone on the road. The next time you embark on a journey, whether short or long, remember to buckle up all of your loved ones — it’s a small effort that can make a significant difference in ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride.
