ukpets logo
Pet Classifieds Pet Classifieds
  • For Sale
  • For Adoption
  • For Stud
  • Wanted
Post FREE Ad
Blog Blog
  • View All Stories
  • Latest Stories
  • Behaviour and Training
  • Healthcare and Grooming
  • How to/Advice
  • Other Interesting Articles
Tools Tools
  • Dogs
  • Dog Breed Selector
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Breed Compare
  • Cats
  • Cat Breed Selector
  • Cat Breeds
  • Cat Breed Compare
My Account My Account
Sign Up Now
Login
Connect With Us:
  • Classifieds
  • Blog
Advanced Search Post an Ad
£0£2000+

Unbuckling Your Pet When Driving Jeopardises Many Lives

Share this: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

Reading Time: 4 minutes

45% Dog Owners Jeopardizing Lives Due to Unrestrained Pets in Cars BlueA thousand (45%) canine owners admitted that they do not strap their pets when travelling, as reported by a survey that was commissioned by a well-known car manufacturer. More than half of them confessed to letting their dogs prowl inside their cars. It is a dangerous driving practice that can lead to a tragic end.

Recorded Negligence and Casualties

The survey results revealed that 35% of pet owners lose their focus when driving. It is caused by getting distracted by their furry companions that are able to roam without any restrictions inside the car.

In connection, a tenth of the respondents in a research through OnePoll said that they are aware of the risks that come together with letting their pooch loose inside their cars. However, they ignore these dangers and continue to do it anyway.

On the other hand, 30% of dog-owning drivers admitted to doing another dangerous practice whilst driving. They would not only unstrap their pooch during a car ride but they would also allow their pets to stick their heads out of the window.

The aforementioned negligence has led to a number of grave consequences. A tenth of dog owners painfully recollected the horrifying moments where they were unable to stop their pooches from leaping out of the car’s window whilst it was in motion. These casualties include six out of ten UK pets ending up injured or worse, dead. Furthermore, a tenth of the OnePoll survey respondents answered that they experienced a near miss incident whilst driving because their unstrapped pooch diverted their attention away from the road.

Reasons Behind Unstrapped UK Pets

two dogs riding in a car without seatbelt25% of the dog owners revealed in the survey that strapping their pets during short trips is ‘pointless.’ Another 29% confessed that their pooches ‘doesn’t like being strapped down’ during the entire journey. The other 17% of the respondents pointed out that a dog crate, which is used in securely transporting animals, cannot fit into their car.

Despite these explanations, Rene Bern, a car engineer and an owner of an Australian pooch named Emil, advised that pet owners should practise full-safety precautions when driving with their furry companions. He stressed that even if they would do anything just to prevent their beloved pooches in harm’s way, safety measure must still be highly observed.

Graeme Hall, a dog training specialist and crowned as ‘The Dog Grandfather,’ also imparted advice by saying that pooch owners should think of their furry companions’ safety, the way they would on any beloved family member. He then uses his precautionary measures of carrying his dog, Lily, in the boot crate as an example to prevent any fatal animal accidents whilst driving.

The Consequences

a dog sitting in front of a car with seatbeltThe seat belt law in the UK stressed that pets that are seated on either the front or back seat must be properly restrained to prevent any injury. It is the driver’s responsibility to strap their pets on their seats.

Furthermore, Rule 57 of the Highway Code, which consists of vehicle and road safety rules, states that the primary purpose of the rule is to avoid the driver from losing their focus on the road. It is suggested that pet owners may use dog guards, pet carriers, dog cages, and seat belt harnesses to securely restrain their pets whilst driving.

Once these rules are transgressed, the driver may face dire consequences. A driver’s negligence of the seat belt regulations on UK pets can lead to them racking a huge amount of fine.

Motorists who are caught and proven distracted whilst driving because of their pets can be fined amounting to £200. It can skyrocket to £5,000 and three to nine penalty points once the pet owner is found guilty of negligent driving. The driver may also be subjected to a driving ban and a compulsory retest during extreme cases that lead to a fatal road traffic accident.

Furthermore, disobeying the seatbelt law for UK pets can nullify the driver’s car insurance. Once pet owners are involved in a car accident due to getting distracted by their unstrapped pet, they will be liable in paying the damages of their own car, the other cars involved, and the medical expenses of those who are involved in the accident.

That is why it is best for dog-owning motorists to abide by the safety regulations with regard to driving with pets. Matt Oliver, a car insurance spokesman, warned drivers, saying, ‘The law is clear—you must secure your animal while in a car—therefore if you don’t do this and an animal roaming freely around the vehicle is said to have contributed to causing an accident, then an insurance company could be well within their rights not to pay out on a claim.’

You may also like to read:

  • Travelling with Your Dog: 7 Ways to Make the Journey Pleasant
  • Tesla Launches ‘Dog Mode’ for Dogs in Hot Cars
  • Potcake Place: Ideal Vacation Combo of Puppies and Tropical Beaches
FREE E-BOOK

home-remedies-for-dog-health-issues
Get your FREE e-book on

Home Remedies for Most Common Dog Healthcare Issues

when you subscribe to your weekly dose of pet-infused newsletters

Packed with solutions and ideas for treating
common health issues for your dog at home.

Share this: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

Hannah Mitchell

Related Stories

Travelling with Your Dog: 7 Ways to Make the Journey Pleasant
Travelling with Your Dog: 7 Ways to Make the Journey Pleasant
Pet Insurance: Cost, Reviews and Guide
Pet Insurance: Cost, Reviews and Guide
Adventures of a Pet Transporter
Adventures of a Pet Transporter
Latest Stories
  • How to Care for Sproodles
  • 5 Most Popular Cat Breeds in the UK (2021)
  • Foxhound vs Beagle: Dog Breed Comparison
  • The Pros and Cons of Owning a Beagle
  • 5 Puzzling Body Parts of Cats and Dogs
  • Cockapoo vs Cavapoo: Breed Comparison
  • 35 Adorable Mixed Breeds that Will Melt Your Heart
  • Featured Story

    How to Care for Sproodles
    How to Care for Sproodles

    Sweet and affectionate towards their human companions, Sproodles are undoubtedly lovable pooches that deserve to be pampered. Do you want to learn … [Read More...]

    Latest Pets for Sale
    6
    Lurchers For Sale
    Lurcher cross puppies for sale

    Dover, Kent

    1,000

    4
    Mixed Breed For Sale in the UK
    Female cat for sale

    Sandwell, West Midlands Combined Authority

    120

    3
    French Bulldog For Sale in Great Britain
    French bulldog puppies

    Crays Hill, Basildon, Essex

    2,995

    1
    Dachshund for Rehoming
    Miniature dachshund puppies

    Cardiff, Cardiff

    4,500

    View All
    Post Pet Advertisements
    For Free!
    Sign Up Now
    UK Pets Tools Dogs
    • Dog Breed Selector Quiz
    • Dog Breeds (A-Z)
    • Dog Breed Groups
    • Compare Dog Breeds
    • Dog Names
    Cats
    • Cat Breed Selector Quiz
    • Cat Breeds (A-Z)
    • Compare Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
       Services
    •    Pet Sitters
    •    Pet Transport
    •    Pet portraits
    •    Pet Cremation
    •    Dog Walker
    •    Dog Training
    •    Dog Grooming
    •    Dog Photography
    •    Dog Kennels
    •    Hydrotherapy For Dogs
    •    Catteries
    Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • French Bulldogs for Sale
    • Cocker Spaniels for Sale
    • Cockapoos for Sale
    • Chihuahuas for Sale
    • Labrador Retrievers for Sale
    Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • British Shorthair Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Bengal Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Sphynx Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Ragdoll Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Maine Coon Cats & Kittens for Sale
    Other Pets for Sale
    • Birds for Sale
    • Rabbits for Sale
    ukpets logo
    • About Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy & Cookie Usage
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Pet Insurance
    • Post Free Pet Ads
    Copyright © 2021 UK Pets. All rights reserved.