Davis Law Group, P.S.

New Study Reveals the Dangers of Driving With Your Unrestrained Dog

According to a new study by AAA and a manufacturer of pet travel products Kurgo, having your dog in your vehicle is considered distracting and dangerous behavior.

The results of the study that consisted of 1,000 dog owners whom have driven with their dogs in the past year, found that 78 million dogs are pets in more than 46 million households nationwide.

The survey found a lot of information, including:

• About 6 in 10 dog owners have driven with their dogs in their vehicle at least one a month throughout the past year.

• While in the car and driving, the most common activity for drivers to engage in his petting their dog, 53 percent; using their hands to hold their dog while braking, 223 percent; and using hands to keep dogs from climbing into the front seat, 19 percent.

• Other distracting behaviors include reaching in the back to pet a dog, 18 percent; allowing their dog to sit in their lap, 17 percent, giving treats to the dog, 13 percent, and taking a photo of their dog while driving, 3 percent.

• It was also uncovered that 83 percent of respondents acknowledge that a dog that is unrestrained in a moving vehicle can be dangerous. However, only 16 percent of people use a restraint while driving. If you are in a vehicle traveling 30 miles per hour, and an unrestrained 80 pound dog is in the car, the dog will exert about 2,400 pounds of pressure.

• The study showed that drivers say they are usually traveling short distances and they allow their dogs to put their heads out the window of the vehicle.

• Other information from the study found that 18 percent of drivers that ride along with their dog also have children under the age of 13 that ride with them.

As a personal injury law firm, we see many cases that result in severe injury and death after a driver is engaging in distracted driving activities. Davis Law Group encourages all drivers that want to ride with their pet, to keep them restrained due to the associated risks.