02 December 2016 - By Eugene Herbert
Its holiday time and everyone – including the pets – are so focussed on
reaching their destination (the park down the road or the coast) that, aside
from the obvious, little thought is given to the safety of the pets being
transported.
A sponsored survey in the US found that an overwhelming 84% of survey
respondents said they have driven with their pets on a variety of car trips.
Only 16%, however, said they used any sort of pet restraint system to make sure
their dog didn’t distract them.
Many drivers have become used to securing their human
passengers - for obvious reasons – but don’t necessarily
realise that unrestrained pets inside the vehicle can cause
driver distraction, and are also a danger to
other passengers in the event of a crash. Here are some tips from
MasterDrive.
> Whenever you travel with a pet, use a restraint system that limits the
pet’s ability to distract the driver, restricts pet movement in the event of a
crash, and mitigates crash forces. Some systems utilize seat belts.
> Restrain pets in the back seat. A vehicle’s air bags can prove deadly
for pets.
> Padded harnesses with sturdy connectors and straps are available to
connect to a vehicle’s seatbelt or LATCH system. Both hard- and soft-sided
crates can be used in vehicles, but should always be strapped down. Pet car
seats (where available) or basket-style holders can be used with smaller dogs.
> A wide variety of barrier systems are available to fit various makes and
models (particularly wagons and SUV’s) of vehicles. These are not only helpful
in reducing distractions, but they don’t offer protection during a crash.
To view a video on the subject, click on the photo or
link below the headline.
VIDEO: Driving With a Pet Onboard
Till next time – Be wise and make sure that you do not
become the unintended victim of a crash due to inadequate thought regarding pet
safety.
Eugene Herbert
