Protyre News
Keeping your best friend safe
By Gareth Vrac
45% of UK pet owners have man’s best friend, the faithful dog as their family pet*. Over 50% of dog owners travel with their dogs in a car, but only 16% restrain their dog for safety**
As awesome as it seems seeing a dog with its head out the window of a moving car, sadly it could cost you your licence and invalidate your car insurance. The Highway Code states drivers need to ensure ‘dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so that they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop too quickly’.
The law recommends a seat belt harness, pet carrier or dog cage/guard as ways of restraining your pet while driving.
Here’s some handy tips for taking your four-legged family friend on car trips with you:
Train your dog to get in and out of the car safely and controlled in case of an emergency
If your dog has never travelled in a car before, try out small local journeys first before trying anything over a long distance such as a holiday
Give your dog something that smells of you/your dog to give them comfort and reassurance whilst travelling
Ensure your dog is secured within the boot with a guard blocking access to the car or within a crate/cage securely positioned within the boot. If you use a harness for your dog, ensure that it is appropriately sized and correctly fitted. The dog should travel on the back seat behind the passenger never behind the driver
Ensure that your dog has plenty to drink so they don’t become dehydrated and NEVER leave a dog alone in a car
Ensure they have plenty of rest breaks to stretch their legs and to avoid accidents in the car!
*source metro.co.uk **Skoda/AAA survey
Did you know?
Skoda released a specific seatbelt range in 2015 to help look after your K9 companions!
