PETS AND ROAD SAFETY

c a n i n e Pets and Road Safety

Louise Stapleton-Frappell presents tips on the safest ways to transport pets, both large and small, in a private vehicle

© Louise StapletonFrappell Larger animals like Phoebe can travel more safely in a crate that is positioned horizontally in their guardians’ car

In this article, I will discuss how to best and most safely transport pets in private vehicles. As I am based in Spain, I am going to take a look specifically at the regulations by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) (Department of Traffic). While regulations in other countries will obviously vary (so please check your local legislation), the issue of keeping pets safe when traveling in vehicles is largely universal and so the tips provided here can be applied no matter where you are.

In Spain, the Código de Tráfico y Seguridad de la DGT (Traffic Safety Code of the Department of Traffic) states that a vehicle driver is obliged to maintain his own freedom of movement, necessary field of vision, and permanent attention on driving, so as to guarantee the safety of the driver, any passengers and other road users. The Traffic Safety Code also states that special care should be taken to maintain adequate positioning of objects and animals so that they do not interfere with the driver. From this, it is clear that if we travel with our dog in the car, the dog should be secured so that he will not fall, move around or in any way distract the driver or obstruct the field of vision.

The DGT does not specify which accessories should be used to ensure

If a crate is not a viable option, the pet’s car harness should be secured via a car seat belt attachment or a short leash attached to a secure point in the floor (many vehicles have strong attachments rings in the floor). This will promote the safety of the pet and other car occupants in the event of sudden braking or an accident.

© Can Stock Photo/AndreyPopov A dog’s car harness can also be secured via a car seat belt attachment to try to avoid the pet flying forward into the front seat in the event of an accident

the comfort and safety of both the pet, other car occupants and road users. Much will depend on the size of the pet and the space in the car.

Safety First

To demonstrate the necessity of safely securing pets while travelling, the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) carried out a series of crashtests in which they simulated a frontal collision at 50 km/h (31 mph), using a dog dummy weighing 22 kg (48.5 lbs) and a human driver dummy. RACE concluded that the safest way to transport a pet is in a pet carrier (crate). For small dogs and cats, the crate is best located on the floor of the car. For larger dogs, it is preferable to locate the crate in a horizontal position in the back of the car, behind a dividing dog guard/grille (Dirección General de Tráfico, 2013).

If a crate is not a viable option, the pet’s car harness should be secured via a car seat belt attachment or a short leash attached to a secure point in the floor (many vehicles have strong attachments rings in the floor). This will promote the safety of the pet and other car occupants in the event of sudden braking or an accident.

The following list summarizes the efficiency of the different safety options that were tested by RACE (Dirección General de Tráfico, 2013):

Efficiency of Retention Systems

#1. Loose Animal: The worst scenario possible is the animal lying in the back seat. In the event of an accident, the animal will fly forward against the front seat headrests. Human occupants and animal could suffer serious injuries and even death.

#2. Harness with One Attachment Point: Harness attached to car

seat belt. In case of a collision, the harness attachment ring breaks. The dog flies into the back of the front seat causing serious spinal injuries to the front seat occupant. The animal suffers serious injury or death.

#3. Harness with Two Attachment Points: This type of harness is more secure. The harness, attached via a short union, avoids the possibility of the pet flying forward into the front seat.

#4. Pet Carrier Held in Place with Seat Belt: The crate or carrier might destroy the seat belt attachment point. The animal could suffer serious injury as could other car occupants.

#5. Pet Carrier on Floor of Vehicle: Small crates/pet carriers will fit into the floor space. As there is little room, the impact is absorbed and does not cause serious impact. The carrier’s integrity is maintained, thus avoiding serious injury. Light injury may occur.

#6. Pet Carrier in the Trunk: When the animal is larger, the crate can be horizontally positioned in the car trunk (if it is a hatchback or SUV). This does not exclude injury to passengers travelling in the back seats.

#7. Dividing Grille: A dog guard securely situated between the structural pillars of the car, separating the cabin from the back of the car, permits the pet to move freely without interfering with the driver, but depending on the position of the animal in the eventuality of a collision, the animal may suffer very serious injury.

#8. Dog Guard and Crate: The safest option is a pet carrier/crate placed behind a dividing safety grille.

To demonstrate the necessity of safely securing pets while travelling, the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) carried out a series of crash-tests in which they simulated a frontal collision at 50 km/h (31 mph), using a dog dummy weighing 22 kg (48.5 lbs) and a human driver dummy. RACE concluded that the safest way to transport a pet is in a pet carrier (crate).

More Safety Tips

Finally, here is some additional advice for your pet’s safety and wellbeing when out and about in the car: a Pets should not be attached to anything via their collar as damage could be sustained to their necks. If you usually walk your dog on a flat collar, I recommend you purchase a harness for use in your car. a Pets should not be held in a person’s arms, on a person’s lap, or be

loose in the vehicle. a Pets should not be allowed to travel with their heads sticking out of open windows. Their eyes may be exposed to dirt, rocks, dust and other debris, materials that can easily puncture and scratch their eyes. a Never leave your pet inside a car during high temperatures. States the American Veterinary Medical Association (2020): “The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F...and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70degree day, that's 110 degrees inside your vehicle!” a Please consult your vet if your pet suffers from car sickness (see also Resources). a When you open the car door or rear hatchback door, please make sure your pet is still secured so they do not jump out as this could potentially cause an accident resulting in injury to the pet or others, or loss of the pet if they were to run away. n

References

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2020). Pets in Vehicles. Available at: bit.ly/2TrNs7g Dirección General de Tráfico. (2013). ¿Cuál es la forma más segura de transportar a su mascota?/What is the safest way to transport your pet? Available at: bit.ly/2Zq7B19 Gobierno de España. (n.d.). Código de Tráfico y Seguridad Vial/Traffic and Road Safety Code. Available at: bit.ly/3cRXBlo

Resource

Nanan, L. (2018). Canine Car Anxiety. BARKS from the Guild (32) 22-23. Available at: bit.ly/2D1bEHM

Louise Stapleton-Frappell BA (Hons) PCBC-A PCT-A CTDI CAP3 CWRI DN-FSG1 DN-CPCT2 is a professional canine behavior consultant, accredited through PPAB. She is also a certified trick dog and fun scent games instructor, a certified whistle recall instructor and a Pet Dog Ambassador instructor and assessor who owns and operates The DogSmith of Estepona, Spain (dogsmith.com/dogsmithestepona). She works hard to promote a positive image of the "bully" breeds and advocate against Breed Specific Legislation in favor of breed neutral laws. Her Staffordshire bull terrier, Jambo (facebook.com/StaffyChampion) is a trick dog champion, the first of his breed to earn the title. She is also the author and instructor of the DogNostics TrickMeister Titles and the DogNostics Dog Training Program. She is a PPG and PPGBI steering committee member, PPGBI membership manager, Doggone Safe regional coordinator (Spain) and steering committee member, co-presenter of the PPG World Service radio show and faculty member of DogNostics Career Center.