Car Accidents Caused by Dogs

photo courtesy: AAA

Does your dog like roaming around your lap when you are driving on the freeway or on the open road? How about running around the back seat of the car? Does he/she enjoy the Great American past time of sticking his head out the window to caress the breeze of a hot summer day?

SURVEY FINDINGS
A survey in 2011 conducted by AAA and Kurgo, a pet travel product manufacturer, conducted an online study involving 1,000 dog owners whom have indicated that they have driven with their dog in the last year. The findings reveal that people who drive with their dogs frequently engage in unsafe driving. 

Based on the 56 percent of the surveyed participants who have indicated they they have driven with their dog at least once a month in the past year, a great number of them admitted in behaviors that distract their attention away from the road an requiring the to take one hand off the steering wheel. The most common distraction was drivers petting their dogs (52%). Almost 1/4 (23%) of dog-owners had held their dog in place with their hands or arms while applying the brakes. 19% said they had used their hands or arm to prevent their dog from climbing into the front seat. 18% admitted to reaching into the back to seat to interact with their dog, 17% had their dogs sitting on their lap or holding them, 13% admitted to giving them dog treats and a surprising 3% admitted to taking a photo of their dog while driving.
Some states are now cracking down as Hawaii outlaws drivers from holding a pet on their lap while driving. States such as Arizona, Connecticut and  Maine now impose fines, while New Jersey can fine drivers up to $1,000 for improperly transporting an animal.


WHAT TO DO
The use of a harness for your dog can save your dogs life as possibly yours, as it will keep your dog from leaping into the front seat and distracting the driver from taking his/her eyes off the wheel.

According to the survey, there were more than two in five (42%) of respondents did not use a pet restraint and felt their dog was calm and did not require one. In the event of a crash or sudden stop, a calm dog would be thrown with the same amount of force as an active dog, leaving the passengers in danger as well as the dog.  

photos: courtesy AAA

 “An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert roughly 300 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately 2,400 pounds of pressure. Imagine the devastation that can cause to your pet and anyone in its path,” said Huebner-Davidson.
Source:  Carbusiness Today  
Keep you, your passengers and your pet safe use a pet harness!