Unrestrained Dogs in Cars Pose Threat

I have two dogs myself so I really found this interesting! A new study says nearly 60% of dog owners have driven while distracted by their pets as passengers. An article in the USA Today explains that the study also found that only 17% of dog owners ever use restraints while their pets are in the car, which could prevent their 4-legged friends from being a distraction.

The study says unrestrained dogs can be distracting by climbing on the driver's lap, not allowing the driver to see and steer, or by crawling down near the foot petals. The study also says driving with an unrestrained dog in the car can also be dangerous if you do happen to get in an accident. Here is an article the study gives: “an unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert 500 pounds of force on whatever it strikes; an 80-pound dog in a crash at just 30 mph will exert about 2,400 pounds.”

So what do you think? Is it dangerous? Do you use a restraint and does that help?
-Ed Bernstein

Aug. 18, 2010
Copyright © USA Today

Dogs unrestrained in cars distract drivers, pose threat
By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY

Dog lovers, beware: Taking man's best friend for a ride could be risky.
Nearly 60% of dog owners have driven while distracted by their pets as passengers, according to a new survey by auto club AAA. Only 17% — about one in six — ever use animal restraints, which can prevent pets from being a distraction and protect them and other occupants in a crash, the survey finds.
In crashes, unrestrained dogs pose an unintended threat to the driver and other passengers, says Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, manager of traffic safety programs at AAA.

Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-17-dogs-cars-drivers_N.htm