Pets & Distracted Driving

What You Need To Know

When we hear the term “distracted driving,” most of us think of the obvious culprits - eating, putting on makeup, talking on the phone, texting, or rummaging for a dropped object on the car floor. However, few of us consider the driving distraction leaving our furry friends unsecured can cause.

This fact is underscored by a Kurgo and AAA survey of people who frequently drive with their pets. The survey found that, while 64 percent of drivers admitted to engaging in a potentially distracting pet-related activity, and 29 percent admitted to actually being distracted by their pets, a full 84 percent allowed their pets to ride unrestrained.

It’s easy to see how an unrestrained pet could be distracting. An anxious dog may cry uncontrollably, pace, or seek comfort from its owner. A dog or cat who becomes suddenly frightened might jump or run around unpredictably. A curious dog might burst into the front seat to get a better view of something interesting he spotted from the back window. A small dog or cat might try to burrow under your seat, or worse-into your lap.

In the survey, drivers admitted to doing everything from petting their dogs, carrying them on their laps, to playing with them and even giving them treats while driving. Three percent of drivers admitted to taking photos of their dogs as they drove.

Restraining pets in vehicles isn’t just about pets causing distracted driving. It’s about what can happen during an accident. Unrestrained pets can be seriously injured or killed if they are thrown from a vehicle. Pets carried on drivers’ laps can be crushed by the impact of an airbag. Frightened pets have been known to escape vehicles and run away in shock after accidents. And unsecured pets can actually put everyone in the car in danger; during an accident, a 60-pound dog can suddenly become the equivalent of a 2,700-pound projectile.

Keeping your pet and human passengers safe and secure is as easy as using the right safety restraint. From pet seat belts or pet car seats, to crates or front seat pet barriers, there is an option out there that will suit your pet and your vehicle. Taking the time to find it may save you the hassle and danger of driving distracted. It may make trips with your pets more fun and worry-free. And it just may save the life your pet - or your own.

 Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com.

SHERRY SCHMIDT

You know that saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”? That’s Sherry Schmidt!

When I walked in, she was setting up a design board with her assistant. Her energy was contagious. Dressed in eclectic business casual, she was giving instructions that ended with “you know what to do.” I was impressed. She later told me that she “trusts her team to back her up.” You can’t help but notice her smile, enthusiasm and love for all things tactile. She has surrounded herself in a business that is perfect for her because she’s artsy and cares about people. She wants people to feel good in their space. That’s why she is hands-on from beginning to end. She’s the kind of person that truly cares about the process and outcome.

It all started 1998 when she took her first interior design class. She discovered that it involved her passions: art, psychology and people. She was hired and mentored by a large company of good people and progressed into a business owner after receiving her BS in Interior Design from CMU in 2011. Sherry definitely knows her business, from working in corporate for fourteen years, to working for a more intimate company--Form & Function--to buying the business in 2020.

She is involved in small- and large-scale home renovation as well as huge commercial projects. She does it all! She has no fear. “Fear take a back seat, I’m driving” she said.

She’s a busy lady that knows how to stay happy. That's what I admire most about her. Her passion is “to live a life that I enjoy. That involves art, travel, and good food. Why wait?”

She does just that, attributing her love of travel to her father and grandfather. She and her husband often enjoy adventures together and recently bought their dream house in Bay City. Sherry is an active woman who enjoys being on the move! She was heading off to an art class after our interview and had played tennis that morning. She boasts that her home only has original art work but leaves out the part that most of them are her own. She is not a bragger, a name dropper or conceited in any way. She’s Sherry Schmidt.

What is her mission? “I want people to live a better life through my artwork of design.”

There’s nothing "cookie cutter" about her. She designs to make her client feel at home. Another cool thing is, she waits until everything is in before she starts…so it’s just like on television. How fun is that?

She’s driven, but not by money. She’s definitely driving, she knows what she wants and needs…like an “occasional guilt free day on the couch.” She’s smart, fun, sincere and so talented. A woman any of us would like to know.

Sherry shared a piece of wisdom with us: "I’m teaching myself to have reservations about the way I react. I take a step back, count to ten, and respond from a place of love. I don’t react. It’s the right thing to do.” That’s a good lesson for all of us!

She loves her work and her play, makes time for both, and has a dream to own a boutique hotel in Greece someday. It will be absolutely gorgeously unique and so much fun! Let’s go visit!

Sherry can be reached at Form & Function 989.895.0909. She is located at 800 Washington Avenue, Suite 101 in Bay City. Check out her website at FormandFunctionBC.com.

 Deborah St.Hilaire is a unifier, enlightener and catalyst for change in the way women are treated and treat each other. Author, speaker, transformational coach and teacher, Deb, the founder of MyBodyMindSpirit.com, is dedicated to enriching lives through selfcare, meditation, movement, thought and journaling. She can be reached at 989.450.4200 or deb@mybodymindspirit.com.