Drivers around Stamford and Rutland urged to rethink how they travel with their pets
Almost half of dog owners in the East Midlands have travelled in a car with their dog entirely unsecured within the last six months, according to a new poll by Tavo OnePoll.
Last updated 30th Aug 2024
Drivers around Stamford and Rutland urged to rethink how they travel with their pets as almost half of dog owners in the East Midlands travel with their dog entirely unsecured, according to new data.
44% of dog owners in the East Midlands have travelled in a car with their dog entirely unsecured within the last six months, according to a new poll by Tavo.
There are fears it could lead to injury.
The poll surveyed 2,000 UK dogs and cat owners and was carried out at the end of July this year.
Drivers who fail to meet the code could face a £5,000 fine for careless driving
The East Midlands are down 15% from the national average of 59% of drivers not securing their pets.
In the East Midlands 6% have travelled with the dog sitting on their lap which is down from 9% for the national average, according to the poll.
Less than a quarter of people in the East Midlands believe that they have a complete understanding of the Highway Code rule on restraining a dog in the car, while 1 in 10 say they don’t understand it.
The Highway code rule 57 states:
"When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot district you, or themselves, if you stop quickly."
"A seat belt or harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."
Drivers who fail to meet the code could face a £5,000 fine for careless driving.
TV Vet Dr Scott Miller says that it’s estimated that over 240,000 pets are injured in car accidents every year.
He said: “The very safest way to travel with your pet is secured inside a pet carrier that is crash-tested and secured to the car.”
“We wouldn’t travel with our children unprotected, so why are we putting our pets in danger?"
“You don’t want to imagine the injuries I see caused by dogs not being securely fastened in cars. Whiplash injuries, torn nails, dislodged teeth and fractures can occur when your pet is flung around the car. I have witnessed too many of these injuries resulting in the pet dying.
“Currently the highway code leans more towards the safety of human passengers and that’s absolutely right. But I think all animal lovers would think but what about the animal?
"It seems we are not thinking enough about the safety of our pets, and we absolutely should be.
“It’s always just about the standard security of making sure you’ve got a good lead, a good harness, you’ve done a lot of really good basic training with your dog and if it’s a cat they get used to the carrier."
Karen McDonnell from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said:
“At 30mph, an unrestrained dog could be thrown forward with a force of 30 to 60 times their own body weight."
“Ensuring pets are safely secured in vehicles not only protects them and passengers, but also reduces the chance of the pet distracting the driver. Driver distraction is a contributory factor in many collisions on our roads.
“If animals are secured properly, the chances of serious injury are reduced, so we welcome all innovation in this area to keep more pets and their owners safe when travelling in cars.”
“It is key in reducing the risk of injury and death, not only to the pet but other occupants in the vehicle in the event of a collision."
For more information visit The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents at www.rospa.co.uk