PETS IN CARS: A SERIOUS DISTRACTION
The AAA has issued a study that has been getting some buzz recently: driving with pets in your car is just as distracting as texting. AAA and Kurgo, a manufacturer of pet restraints, surveying 1000 dog owners found:
- Thirty-one percent of survey respondents admitted to being distracted by their dog while driving.
- An astounding 59 percent admitted to participating in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog.
- More than half bring their pet along while driving.
- One in five allowed their dog to sit in their lap while driving.
- Seven percent admitted to giving food and water to their dog and five percent admitted to playing with their dog while driving.
Such distracting behavior can increase the risk of a crash. We know from recent studies regarding texting while driving that looking away from the road while driving can be devastating. The AAA study states that looking away for just two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.
Most disturbing, the AAA study found that even a 10-pound dog, loose in a car driving 50 miles per hour at the time of a crash, could exert 500 pounds of pressure – endangering both the pet and anyone in its path.
Illinois does not require drivers to restrain their pets while driving. In fact, many of us have seen people driving with pets on their laps. Police officers can issue citations to drivers that permit dogs to obstruct their view of the road or use of the steering wheel.
For your safety, and the safety of your pets, restrain your pets when driving. The Chicago Tribune, reporting on the issue, found that dogs inside wrecked vehicles often become territorial and protective of their owners when police and emergency-responders try to rescue injured occupants, sometimes leaving authorities no other choice than to shoot the animal in order to rescue the driver or passengers. There is no need to put yourself, others, or your pet in such a risky situation.
