Experts: Driving With Pets Can Increase Your Accident Risks – Houston Injury Lawyers
So many of us are guilty of this – driving in a car with a pet that is not restrained or secured. We don’t think twice about allowing pets to travel with us in a car with no protection, but such behavior could significantly increase our risks of being involved in an accident. Not only that, you also increase your pet’s chances of being injured or ejected from the car when he’s unrestrained.
According to a survey by the American Automobile Association, only about 17 % of motorists admitted to securing their dogs with some kind of restraint systems, like seatbelts, while driving. One out of every three dog owners who drives with dogs in the car, admits that these pets can be a serious distraction while driving. The use of these restraint systems seems to be low nationwide, in spite of the fact that these are easily available, are relatively inexpensive, and can protect your pet from serious injury, besides lowering your risk of an accident.
If you’re concentrating on keeping your dog down, or getting him to stop barking or preventing him from making a mad dash out of the window, you’re taking away precious attention from the road. Any Houston auto accident lawyer will tell you that when you don’t have your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, you increase your risks of being involved in a car crash. Federal agencies seem to be particularly focused on the risks of using cell phones while driving, and we wonder why it is that no one seems to be making laws to get people to secure their pets in the car.
When it comes to pet restraint systems, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There is a variety of choices available, from dog seatbelts and booster seats to dog hammocks and barriers. Smaller dogs can be secured in dog carriers, and for larger dogs, you might prefer seatbelts.
You wouldn’t allow your child to ride in your car without a child safety seat, and there’s no reason why you should allow your dog to do so either.
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Comments
I agree with that. As much as possible, do not drive alone with your pet. You should have someone else to hold your pet while your are driving a car.
is there any law against driving with none-restraint dogs in tx ? i just got into a car accident because the car in front of me made a hard stop in the middle of the road, because his dog jumped out of the window making me break and rear end his truck.
is the driver in front of me held liable for negligence of causing the accident ? does he have to pay for my damages ?
is there any law that rules in my favor?
Recently recieved ticket for not having dog in kennel while driving. Unclear if this is against the law by this blog or not.