A few years ago, I was involved in an auto accident (caused by distracted driving by another person) that would’ve killed my dogs if they’d been in the car.
The scary thing about that is the fact that I was sitting at a stop light minding my own business, and I was hit so hard from the rear that I was pushed into the car in front of me. My car’s airbags deployed, my car was totaled, and I was lucky to walk away with just a few bumps and bruises (mostly caused by the airbag).
Don’t get me wrong. I love taking my dogs with me whenever I can as I run errands around town. But that wreck a few years ago really taught me some important lessons about keeping my dogs – and myself – safe in the car.
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The most important lesson I learned is that all dogs, regardless of their size, must be restrained at all times inside a moving vehicle to keep them safe and avoid distracted driving. According to CarRentals.com:
Most drivers have never been in an accident with their dogs, so it’s understandable that pet safety restraints don’t come into play on many road trips.
In fact, most people don’t restrain their dogs in any way when they head out for a drive in the care. But failing to restrain can cause so many problems.
The infographic above shows many of the ways an unrestrained dog might distract a driver.
Be honest: have you ever been distracted by your dog in any of these ways while traveling in the car together? I honestly don’t think any of us can say no.
But our dogs aren’t the only ones to blame. We pet parents do our share of dangerous stuff when the dogs are in the car with us, resulting in distracted driving.
Again, which ones are you guilty of? If you’ve driven a car with your dog accompanying you, I’m sure you’ve done at least one of these things.
When you think about the damage that could occur if you’re involved in an accident with your pet, it’s pretty staggering.
I know you would never put your human child in the car unrestrained, so why do you take a chance with your pet?
Keeping your dog safe in the car isn’t complicated. In fact, for Georgie and I, it’s as simple as the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed. Since the day we brought her home, every car ride Georgie has ever taken has been in the safety and comfort of her Sleepypod. She stays safe and I avoid distracted driving because of her.
The mobile pet bed is the perfect size for small dogs, as well as cats. And I know that when Georgie is safely tucked into her Sleepypod, she’s safe from whatever happens on the road.
If your dog is larger than Georgie (as most dogs are), no worries! The Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness is the answer. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, and it will keep your dog safe and sound on the road.
Whichever option you choose, I promise that you’ll never be sorry that you kept your dog restrained in the car.
Check out the infographic below for more information about distracted driving, as well as what to do if you are ever in an accident with your pet.
One rule that I always, always live by when riding in the car with my dogs is to make sure that they’re wearing their collars with ID tags. In the event that somehow your dog would escape the car during an accident, you want to make sure that they’ll be able to get back home to you. An ID tag is a great place to start.
For pet parents who’ve spent years allowing our dogs to roam freely about the car on road trips, it may take some time for your dog to get used to a restraint system. But trust me, it’s worth the effort.
Do You Restrain Your Dog in The Car?
I’d love to hear about your experience in a comment below. Or better yet, stop by my private Facebook group for dog moms and join in the conversation there!
The post Distracted Driving: How to Keep Your Dog Safe in The Car appeared first on The Everyday Dog Mom.
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Christina, Khareem Sudlow
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