Driving With Pets

Everyone has heard about the dangers of drinking alcohol, talking on the phone, and texting while driving, but there are other activities people do every day to jeopardize their safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. And even though the image of a dog with his or her head out the window and tongue and ears flapping in the wind looks adorable, driving with your pet in the car could be a potential safety hazard.

Reports say that nearly two-thirds of dog owners say they drive while simultaneously petting, feeding or playing with their dog in the front seat. This can be extremely dangerous because it not only distracts the driver but also leaves the unrestrained pet susceptible to injuries in case of an accident.

Potential Dangers

Besides taking the driver's attention away from the road, one of the biggest threats is pets that are not restrained and thus are left free to roam inside the car. Unrestrained pets could hurt other passengers in the car in the case of an accident and can also be injured if the airbag deploys. Some possible problems include:

Pets getting injured or killed from the airbag
Drivers getting scratched or even bitten by a startled pet
Driver turning focus away from the road and onto his or her pet

The pure physics of an unrestrained pet flying through the car in an accident are alarming. An 80-pound dog in an accident at only 30 miles per hour can emit 2,400 pounds of pressure. If you do bring your pet in the car, make sure to use a restraint system.

For more information about driving safely, visit the website of the Lake Geneva car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.