We constantly see dogs in their owners’ cars – and that is of course allowed according to the traffic rules and the road traffic regulations.
But you could break the law and end up with a hefty fine, reports Der Spiegel, if you break the rules. That’s because animals, like humans, are required to wear a seat belt and it is a violation of the highway code if you don’t make sure your pet is wearing one.
It advises that a moving animal can cause an accident while driving and warns drivers not to put their pets in the front seat for the same reason.
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Mark Tongue of Select Car Leasing explains, “Most dog owners will know that they must adequately restrain their pet in a car, as required by the highway code.
“But many owners are confused as to whether dogs are allowed in the front seat or not. It’s something of a gray area.
“While this is not particularly recommended, dogs should generally sit in the back seat or in the trunk for their own safety.
“You should only have your dog by your side while driving if you can deactivate the passenger airbag and know that some vehicles do not have a bridging function.
“Failure to deactivate the airbag can cause catastrophic injury to a dog. An airbag is meant to protect a human, not a dog, and the padding is just in the wrong place.
“When an airbag inflates, it does so with so much force that it could even crush a dog cage.”
Dogs must also be buckled up
(Image: Unknown)
Tongue adds that if you are considering carrying your dog in the front of the car, slide the seat back as far as possible to minimize the risk of the dog hitting the glove box or windshield in the event of a crash.
“We recommend that your dog doesn’t stick his head out the window,” he explains.
“Not only may this indicate that the animal is not being properly restrained, but there is an obvious risk that its head could come into contact with something like a bush or tree, causing serious injury.
“And make no mistake – if you don’t properly restrain your dog and distract him, you could be prosecuted.”
What is the risk?
The risk is a fine of up to £ 5,000 for “negligent driving” as well as the risk of a road accident.
Rachel Wait of MoneySuperMarket explains, “While driving your pet in your car – whether in the trunk or on a seat – seems like a harmless way to get from A to B, the truth is, you can risk voiding your auto insurance do .
“If you get into trouble with an unbridled pet in the car, insurers can use it against you – regardless of whether it was caused directly by the animal itself, best friend ‘is right reluctant.”
What the law says
According to the Highway Code, unhindered pets can cause accidents, near misses, or emergency braking.
It states: “Make sure dogs or other animals are properly buckled up in a vehicle so that they do not distract you while driving or injure you or yourself if you stop quickly.
“A seat belt, a transport box, a dog cage or a dog guard are ways to restrain animals in the car.”
And while there is no direct penalty for violating the Highway Code, if you are seen as distracted on the road you can be fined £ 1,000 for “negligent driving” on the spot. This comes with a maximum fine of £ 5,000 and nine penalty points depending on the severity of the matter.
In extreme cases, the incident could also lead to a driving ban and a mandatory repeat test.
The law recommends a seat belt, pet carrier, dog cage, or guard to restrain your pet while driving.
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