How Important Is It to Buckle Up Your Dog In The Car?

Check Out The Statistics

·       78 million dogs reside in more than 46 million U.S. households according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

·       Nearly six in 10 (56%) respondents have driven with their dog in a vehicle at least once a month over the past year, according to the AAA/Kurgo survey.

·       Three in 10 respondents (29%) admit to being distracted by their dog while driving.

·       Sixty-five percent of dog owners admit to engaging in at least one potentially distracting activity while driving with their dog.

·       Activities engaged in while driving with dogs by survey respondents include:

o  Petting their dog (52%)

o  Using hands or arms to restrict dog’s movement or hold dog in place when putting on brakes (23%)

o  Using hands/arms to keep dog from climbing from the backseat to the front seat (19%)

o  Reaching into backseat to interact with dog (18%)

o  Allowing dog to sit in lap or holding dog while driving (17%)

o  Giving food or treats to dog (13%)

o  Playing with dog (4%)

o  Taking a photo of dog (3%)

·       Looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

·       More than four in five (83%) respondents agree that having an unrestrained dog in a moving car can be dangerous.

·       Only 16 percent of dog owners who have driven with their pet use some form of restraint while their dog is in the vehicle.

·       Eighty-four percent of respondents bring their dogs on car trips but do not use a restraint. The reasons for not using a pet travel restraint include:

o  My dog is calm and do not think he/she needs a restraint (42%)

o  Never considered it (39%)

o  Just take dog on short trips (29%)

o  Want dog to be able to put head out window (12%)

o  Too complicated/too much trouble (7%)

o  Want dog to have fun in the car (3%)

o  Want to be able to hold dog (3%)

Whether you are driving your dog to the park or going on a cross-country family vacation, everyone (dog included) in the vehicle needs to buckle up.

Dog seatbelts ensures your dog is safe, protects others in the vehicle and everyone else on the road from distractions.

If You Really Love Them...

Let's face it. All of us love to see our dog enjoying the cool breeze with its head outside of the window enjoying the journey. But, car accidents are always there to threaten your life. Distracted driving is the biggest cause of car accidents and they are on the rise. Daydreaming, cellphones, taking eyes off road, eating & drinking, changing the car settings, dog-related distractions as mentioned above…the list goes on. On average, there are over 16,000 car accidents each day in the US. Even the most cautious, responsible and experienced drivers get blindsided. All it takes is a split second. Wearing a seat belt does not guarantee life, but it significantly increases [(by 45%)] you and your dog’s chances of surviving a car accident. Therefore, you should be a responsible dog mom or dog dad and buckle up your best friend. Read on to learn more…

Why Should I Buckle Up My Dog In The Car?

An unrestrained 60-pound dog in a car crash at 55 mph will exert approximately 3300 pounds of force [It takes roughly 900 pounds of force to break the femur (the strongest bone in human body)]. When the car halts to a stop, the unrestrained dog will not stop; it is the simple laws of physics. This force would most likely be deadly to the dog and anyone else in the vehicle.

How Should I Buckle Up My Dog In The Car?

One of the best methods is to use the Kurgo heavy-duty padded harness, which comes with a clip that attaches to the vehicles seat belt.

#1 Kurgo Dog Harness & Seat Belt

Another great method is to use the dog seat belt with a heavy-duty padded harness. The dog seat belt attaches to the harness and clicks into the vehicles seat belt buckle.

#2 Dog Seat Belt (Used With Heavy-Duty Padded Dog Harness)

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Conclusion

Be a responsible dog mom or dog dad, never let the dogs free in a moving vehicle. Whether you are driving your dog to the park or going on a cross-country family vacation, everyone including dogs in the vehicle needs to buckle up to increase their chances of surviving an accident.

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We wish you safe traveling with your doggos!

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Source: [https://www.kurgo.com/dog-travel-statistics/]

Source: [https://www.thewanderingrv.com/car-accident-statistics/]

Source: [https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/396acff8-05c5-49e3-8110-9979048a45fe/seat-belts-problem.pdf.aspx#:~:text=Wearing%20a%20seat%20belt%20is,in%20a%20crash%20(NHTSA).]

Source: [https://www.discovery.com/science/force-to-break-bone]

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