How to Safely Travel with Your Pets

by Courtney Conley

As the weather warms up, many people are preparing to travel. We all know how important it is to make sure every passenger in the vehicle is safely buckled up, but you may not realize that this applies to our pets, too! With around 63.4 million American households owning dogs, it’s important to understand the risks associated with traveling with pets.

Driving with pets is distracting.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,142 human lives in 2019. Distracted driving is an act of driving while engaging in other activities that take the driver’s attention away from the road.

While the most well-known form of distracted driving is probably cell phone use, there are many things that can distract us on the road.

In general, there are three types of driving distractions:

Three Distractions
  1. Manual Distractions. A manual distraction is anything that takes one or both of your hands off the steering wheel.
  2. Visual Distractions. Visual distractions are distractions that take your eyes off the road for any period of time.
  3. Cognitive Distractions. Cognitive distractions take your mind off driving.

How does this apply to pet owners? Well, according to a survey sponsored by AAA and Kurgo, 65% of respondents participated in a distracted driving activity while driving with a dog.

  • 52% said they have pet their dog while driving.
  • 23% used their arms or hands to hold their dog in place while braking.
  • 17% let their dog sit on their lap while driving.
  • 18% reached into the backseat to pet or interact with their dog.
  • 13% admitted to giving their dog food or treats while driving.

These are all distracted driving acts, and many fit into all three forms of distracted driving. It may seem harmless to let your pet ride on your lap or to reach back to hand them a treat, but when you drive distracted, you’re putting yourself and everyone around you at risk.

5 Tips for Driving with a Pet in Tow

Some states have specific laws about traveling with pets. For example, it’s common for states to prohibit drivers from driving with a pet on their lap. A few states even require pets to be secured in a carrier or wear a seat belt. Make sure you’re familiar with the laws in your state before you get in the car with your pet.

Now that you understand how dangerous it is to drive while distracted by your pet, let’s take a look at some ways to make travel safer for everyone.

1. Choose the proper restraint system for your pet.

Only 16% of survey participants said they use a pet restraint system while driving with their dogs. Choosing the proper restraint system is important for the safety of the driver and the pet. While drivers can be distracted by unrestrained pets, the pets themselves are in danger of injury or death in the event of a collision.

Luckily, there are many ways to make sure your pet is protected on the road. One option is to purchase a plush carry box like the one pictured below. These work well for smaller dogs and function much like a child’s safety seat. The box is secured to the seat with the seat belt. The lap part of the belt goes through the back of the box, firmly securing it to the seat.

This option allows your pup to keep an eye on the action around them while also keeping them safe and secured.

Plush Carry Box

Another option is a harness seatbelt like the one shown below. This option works well for both large and smaller dogs who are comfortable and calm on car rides. The harness plugs into the regular seat belt buckle to keep your pet secure and safe.

Harness Seat Belt

This next option may not be best if your pup is a little rambunctious, but if you have an older dog who likes to lounge, or another well-behaved dog, you could use a back seat hammock. The back seat hammock keeps your dog in place and prevents them from climbing up to the front seat of your vehicle.

If your dog is most comfortable traveling in a crate, make sure it’s secure and will not move around or fall over while the car is in motion. A flat surface is best.

The most important thing is that you and all of your passengers, including your pets, are safe and secured within the vehicle when you travel. Research your options and check with your vet if you have any questions about which safety system will work best for your pet.

2. Make sure your pet is acclimated before hitting the road.

Some pets get motion sickness in the car. Others can feel anxious while on the road. Get a feel for how your dog reacts to car rides before taking them on a longer trip. It may be helpful to get them used to the restraint system you choose before the drive as well. If your dog is struggling with their harness or in their crate, it can be a big distraction to the driver.

3. Plan ahead for stops.

When you’re planning a long trip, make sure you plan where you’re going to stop and make sure there will be rest areas for your dog. You can never leave your dog unattended in your vehicle, so make sure your stops are dog-friendly. Keep your car well-ventilated and remember to stop frequently for water and exercise breaks. You shouldn’t feed your dog while the car is in motion, as it’s a choking hazard.

If you plan ahead, your trip will go much more smoothly!

4. Never let your dog hang out the window.

We know how cute it is to see a dog enjoying the ride with their head out the window, but this is actually super dangerous for many reasons. Your dog may get hit with a flying object, or may try to exit the vehicle. Other drivers might get distracted by your dog and take their eyes off the road, causing a collision. It may be tempting to let your pet enjoy the fresh air on their little face, but it’s best to be responsible and keep everyone safe by keeping your dog secured in the vehicle.

5. Do not leave your pet alone in the car.

After just ten minutes in the sun, a stopped car can heat up by 19 degrees. Even if you crack a window, leaving your pet in a hot car can cause heatstroke or even death. Cold temperatures can also be extremely harmful.

We hope you found these tips helpful! Interested in learning more about traffic safety? Taking an online defensive driving course or an insurance discount course is a great way to help prepare you for any type of driving situation! Click here to visit our website to see the online courses we offer in your state!

p>As the weather warms up, many people are preparing to travel. We all know how important it is to make sure every passenger in the vehicle is safely buckled up, but you may not realize that this applies to our pets, too! With around 63.4 million American households owning dogs, it’s important to understand the risks associated with traveling with pets.

Categories: Driving Safety, Trip Planning