A dog on your lap is a distraction and limits your ability to control your vehicle properly. The best place for a dog is in the backseat or in the hatch, restrained by a protective harness or a grill. Pet carriers in the back seat secured with seat belts is another great option. Pets riding in a driver’s lap can accidentally get between the driver’s feet and the pedals.
It is also very dangerous for your dog. During a collision, a small dog can hit the windshield with the force of a cannonball. It could also be crushed by an airbag sitting on your lap or in the passenger seat.
In the aftermath of an accident, some dogs may become panicked and try to attack first responders; unrestrained pets can also escape, get hit by a car, or bolt and become lost. So the next time you take your dogs in the car with you, will you buckle them up in the backseat?
We truly hope that you do.
Written by Centennial Animal Hospital
