We all love our pets, but do we take the time to ensure that they are properly secured while traveling in our cars?
The Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Traffic Division, has seen an increase in vehicle crashes where unrestrained animals were injured or killed because they weren’t properly secured while traveling in a vehicle. Injury or death can also occur to the driver or passengers because an unrestrained animal will become a projectile inside the vehicle, often striking the driver or passenger during a collision.
AAA and Kurgo conducted a survey that revealed some disturbing trends.
1 out of 3 dog owners admit to being distracted by their dog while driving. However, twice as many owners (2 out of 3) also admit to engaging in distracting activities with their dog while driving.
Looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver and more than half a million were injured. However, many traffic safety experts believe the actual number to be substantially higher.
Only 17 percent of dog owners who have driven with their pet use some form of pet restraint while their dog is in their vehicle.
Similar to a young child, the front airbag system in a vehicle can be deadly to a dog during a crash if sitting in the front seat, even if restrained.
An unrestrained 10-pound cat in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of force, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert approximately 2400 pounds of force.
Now, try to imagine for a moment that you are involved in a crash and your unrestained 80-pound dog comes flying out of the back seat and strikes you or your passengers in the head with a force of 2,400 pounds. The results would be devastating for you, your dog and your family. A harness or secured pet carrier would prevent this.
The Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Traffic Division, will be taking a proactive role in educating the public of the dangers of unrestrained pets, including enforcement action. If you drive with a dog on your lap, you could be ticketed for driving at an unsafe speed. I think we can all agree that there is no safe speed to drive with a pet in your lap.
Prepared by Officer Michael Graham, Valley Traffic Division Produced by The Los Angeles Police Department
Valley Traffic Division
Community Traffic Services Unit
7870 Nollan Place
Panorama City, Ca 91402
(818) 644-8000
