Fastening Fido’s Seatbelt – Why Buckling Up Your Pet is a Smart Move

If drivers buckle up children to keep them safe, why not buckle up the family pet? While seat-belting Fido or Fluffy may sound far fetched, it’s actually a way to help reduce auto accidents as well as keeping your furry friends from harm. Now that’s something to chew on! Whether it’s a trip to the vet or a cross-country vacation drive, it’s a good idea to make sure that everyone – including the family pet – buckles up for safety. National safety statistics reveal that the number of pets riding in cars is at an all-time high, and the majority are traveling unrestrained. “Many pets are considered family members, and just like young children, they must completely rely on the driver’s wisdom to be safe inside the car,” said Allstate New York spokesperson Krista Conte. “Pet passenger restraints aren’t that expensive, but they can be invaluable in protecting both pets and passengers.” Pet product firms – and even car companies – have been developed a multitude of pet auto accessories, from chin protectors for dogs that like to hang out of windows, and doggie car seats that double as pet beds, to backseat hammocks, special bird carriers, designer carry bags for cats, and ramps that enable older pets to climb stairs into SUVs. Fur parents will love car seat covers that are 100% waterproof and fit like a glove. Basic dog seatbelts costing anywhere from $10-$30 will properly restrain dogs while still allowing Fido’s nose to stick out the window. Conte says even pets that are always well-behaved during car rides can just as easily be the victim of a crash as the instigator of one. Regardless of an accident’s cause, an animal can become a deadly flying projectile upon impact (a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds), resulting in harm to itself and other passengers. Demonstrating love by properly restraining pets in automobiles will provide a safer and more focused environment for the driver, passengers and surrounding vehicles by preventing the animal from:

• Blocking rear window views
• Roaming between seats and jumping between the front and back seats
• Tearing and clawing upholstery
• Noticing other animals in cars or near the road that results in ongoing barking
• Escaping through an open door or window

Most importantly, never allow a pet to sit on your lap when driving. “Many of the same common-sense rules motorists use to protect children in a car also apply to animals,” said Conte. “People don’t drive with a child in their lap, and shouldn’t do so with animals. You can show all the affection you want to your pet, but wait until you get home so you’re not compromising the safety of yourself and surrounding motorists.” Allowing pets to become familiar and comfortable with being inside a vehicle before taking them on a journey plays an important role in reducing their anxiety when the wheels actually begin to roll. The calmer an animal is riding in a car, the less of a distraction it’s likely to be. If an incident should occur in which a driver’s dog bites another individual during a car trip, the driver’s homeowner’s insurance policy would cover any resulting injuries. For More information and a new quote please call Shirley Eizember, Pinckney Insurance Agency, 41 Port Watson St, Cortland New York. 607-756-8505 [mappress mapid=”32″]