Image from Val Ann's Flickr stream
Last week, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed 95 bills, "including a measure that would have prohibited dogs from riding on the laps of motorists," the L.A. Times reports. The reason? "I am only signing bills that are the highest priority for California," the governator said.
Petfinder recommends keeping your dog in a crate or carrier while you're driving for your pet's safety. But be honest: Do you ever drive with your dog (or other pet!) in your lap? Do you think that doing so should be illegal?
Cell phones are banned in many states in the US and I think dogs riding in your lap while you are driving probably should be too. I don't see the difference in the amount of distraction that either of them cause. In fact, dogs could quite possibly be even more dangerous. With them wollering all over your lap, there is no way that you can pay complete and udder attention to what is on the highway. More deaths in the United States are cause by motor vehicle crashes, and I think that doing everything that we can do to prevent them, is smart. I have nothing against people who currently drive with dogs in their lap, and truthfully I know that some of my friends do too. However, that doesn't change my mind. Take caution and pay attention to the road. I find it very ironic that people who pushed for the law to ban dogs riding in the back of pickups, are the ones who want dogs to be riding on laps outlawed. I was not one of those people. I think the back of a pickup is a huge safe place, and I would way rather my animal ride back there than in my lap. Just food for thought! There are plenty of other times to spend quality time woth your do, or talk on the cell phone...trust me!
I agree ... Cellphones should be banned while driving ... so many accidents have be caused because of careless drivers. We once saw a women putting on make-up, eating and talking on the cellphone WHILE driving. SO very dangerous for everyone around. Same case as having a pet in your lap. It may be cute and it may be comfortable for the pet, yet they can cause distractions and they might want to put their head out the window for some fresh air, thus leaving no room for your arms to hold the steering-wheel. We have a Toy Poodle named Daisy (she's such a shaggy little girl --10 Years old, too!) and she ALWAYS wants to come on the driver's lap. Yet we know it's dangerous and we don't do it anymore. I agree with Leah ... if the airbags "pop" open .. it could immediatley kill the pet in your lap from so much pressure. It's best to either keep a pet in a carrier in the back seat, leave them loose in the back seat but make sure they don't step up towards the driver's or passenger's seat, or don't bring them at all. Of course, if your going to the park for a little fresh air with your dog, there's always the back-BACK seat. Some cars have the first row (Driver/Passenger Seat) then a second row (2-3 seats) and then the trunk, yet bigger trucks don't have trunks that are covered completely, thus allowing dogs to hang out back there yet still totally be able to see everyone up front. They are more safe back there. I hope people listen to these comments, below and above mine so that their pet will not be in danger, and neither will the driver. Thank you,
Driving while talking on a cell phone is soon to become illegal in many states. Why? Because it causes a distraction that leads to careless/wreckless driving and accidents. Having a pet in one's lap causes a similar distraction and should be illegal. Another thing to consider is that should there be an accident and the airbag deploys, it will kill your pet instantly and could kill you from the force of your pet being forced into your chest or abdomen. If you have a fender bender, where will your pet end up? If you roll your vehicle and your pet survives, but your car is on fire, will anyone be able to rescue your pet if it is not in a carrier? Animals in shock behave far differently than normal. There are many variables to consider and all of them say that pets should be carried in a container or confined space, not the lap of driver or passengers...for everyone's safety.