#164 Buckle Up Pup

Your dog's adorable excitement for car rides could be putting both of you in serious danger. Despite religiously buckling ourselves in, many of us let our four-legged companions roam freely in our vehicles without considering the potentially devastating consequences of this common oversight.

Chapters

• 0:00 The Dangers of Unsecured Dogs
• 1:14 State Laws for Dogs in Cars
• 3:03 Safety Recommendations for Dog Travel

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Let's talk about car rides with your dog. Most of us buckle up without even thinking twice, but when it comes to our dogs, we often just let them hop in and go. Maybe they ride shotgun, maybe they pace in the back, maybe they wedge themselves between your seat so you can't move. But here's the truth. Unsecured dogs are a serious safety risk, for themselves and for you, and here's why, if you slam on the brakes or get into a crash, your dog becomes a projectile. Even a small dog can do major damage at 30 or 40 miles per hour and beyond the physical danger, an unsecured dog can distract you while you're driving. They might jump in your lap, block your view or even interfere with your steering. In fact, some insurance companies will deny claims if they determine that the accident was caused by a pet distraction. That's why it's not just safer, it's smarter to secure your dog when traveling. Crates, seat belt harnesses or even secured barriers in SUVs will help. But now let's touch on the legal side. Most states don't have specific seatbelt laws for dogs, but a few do, and the rules vary. In New Jersey, for example, it is the law Dogs must be secured with a harness or in a crate while traveling. If you're caught with an unrestrained dog, you could be fined between $250 and $1,000. And it's actually enforced under the animal cruelty laws. Hawaii is another one. It's illegal to have a dog riding on your lap or in the driver's immediate area. That can get you a ticket too. Connecticut and Maine have distracted driving laws that include pets, so if your dog's behavior contributes to distracted driving, you could be pulled over.

Speaker 1: 2:24

Meanwhile, states like California have rules for pickup trucks. Dogs must be in a crate or have cross tethering if they're in the bed of the truck, and Rhode Island requires a harness, crate or seat belt. If you're transporting a dog, fines can run up to $200. But even if your state doesn't have a specific law about it, you could still be cited if your dog causes an issue. Bottom line, whether it's legally required or not, securing your dog in the car is just common sense. Securing your dog in the car is just common sense. Use a crash-tested harness or travel crate, especially for those longer rides, and never let them ride in the front seat or loose in the bed of a truck. That's not freedom, that's dangerous. So the next time you load up, take that extra 30 seconds to strap in your dog. They're counting on you to keep them safe and you'll drive a little easier knowing everyone is secure.