Driving with your dog: Important rules to keep in mind

If you enjoy taking your dog for scenic drives to your local beach or dog park, there may be some driving rules that you’re not aware of. Especially as there is more to driving with your pooch, then you may think. To learn what the Highway Code has to say about driving with pets, simply continue reading to discover some important rules, which you should always keep in mind, when you drive with your dog in your car.

Make sure that your dog is properly secured before you start driving:

You may be unaware that it’s illegal to drive your car, with an unsecured dog in your car. In fact, in a recent survey 1 in 5 drivers admitted to regularly driving with an unsecured dog. So if you plan on driving with your dog and don’t want to run the risk of being fined by the police, ensure to keep your dog in a secured cage or in a dog harness, during your drives. You should find that it’s a whole lot safer to drive with a properly secured dog as your dog won’t distract you as it won’t be able to hop onto your lap or walk around, while you’re driving.

You’ll also be doing your dog a huge favor by placing it in an approved dog harness as if you get into a car accident. Your dog will stand a higher chance of surviving. As a loose dog may be thrown through your car’s windscreen or from one side of your car to the other.

Don’t let your dog sit on your lap when you drive.

One of the most dangerous mistakes which you can make as a driver is to choose to drive with your dog on your lap. As when you drive you need to remain focused and if your dog makes a sudden move, you may become distracted and may lose your focus. Which may cause you to crash into the car in-front of you or to veer outside the lines of the lane which you’re driving in.

Ideally your dog should be kept in a dog specific harness in one of the back seats of your car. To ensure that there is no chance that your dog will be able to distract you when you’re driving from a to b.

Also keep in mind that the fine which you may receive if a police officer stops your vehicle and finds a dog on your lap, may be higher than if you had a loose dog in the back of your car. So while you may enjoy the companionship of your furry friend, it’s definitely well worth saving cuddling up to your dog, until you’ve safely arrived at your destination.

So whether you frequently take your dog for a drive to a local dog beach or park or you simply drive your dog to the vet from time to time, it’s well worth sticking to the rules which are outlined in the highway code.