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Dogs might be peoples' best friends, but they are not always the safest traveling companions.
A recent survey conducted by the Automobile Club of America (AAA) found that drivers often engage in risky behaviors when canine companions come along for a car ride. Unfortunately, these behaviors can distract drivers and increase the risk of a crash. According to The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a research arm of AAA, looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.
"Restraining your pet when driving not only protects your pet, but you and other passengers in your vehicle as well," said Fran Mayko, AAA Southern New England traffic safety coordinator. "An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a 50 mile per hour crash exerts about 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mile per hour exerts 2,400 pounds of pressure. Unrestrained people and pets become projectiles in crashes so imagine the devastation that can cause to your pet and anyone in the vehicle in its path."
According to the survey of 1,000 dog owners who've driven with their pet in the last 12 months:
* Thirty one percent of drivers admit to being distracted by their dog while driving, with 59 percent say they participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog;
* More than half of the respondents pet their dog while driving;
* Twenty one percent allowed their dog to sit in their lap;
Others admitted to giving food and water to their dog and playing with their dog while driving.
An overwhelming 80 percent of drivers said they've gone on both long and short trips with their dogs, but just like drivers without seatbelts, unrestrained pets can be a danger in a car. According to survey respondents, only 17 percent use any form of a pet restraint system when driving with their dog.
AAA recommends owners use a restraint system anytime they're driving with their pet, no matter how short the trip.
For more information on safe driving with your pets, go to www.aaa.com
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