At Certified Auto Repair, our highest priority is helping drivers and their passengers stay safe on the road \u2014 and that includes those with four legs! If you\u2019ve got Fido or Mittens in the backseat, it\u2019s important that you take safety precautions. Here\u2019s some practical advice to follow when driving with your pet in the car.<\/p>\n
Risks to avoid<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s unsafe to leave a cat or dog unsecured inside a moving vehicle. Know that when you factor in driving speed, the weight of an object increases exponentially at the moment of a collision. For example, breaking abruptly at 50 km\/h multiplies the weight of an animal thirtyfold. If it collides with the windshield, your dog or cat would have virtually no chance of surviving.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth keeping in mind that animals are unpredictable. If left free to roam around the vehicle, a dog or cat could end up under the gas or brake pedal or could climb onto the driver\u2019s shoulders, distracting him or her from the road.<\/p>\n Does your dog like to stick his head out the window as you drive? This isn\u2019t worth the risk either. For one, there\u2019s a chance he\u2019ll get insects or debris in his mouth, eyes and ears (which can lead to infection or injury). Moreover, you pet could obstruct your vision or be thrown from the vehicle in the event of an accident. If your pup is too hot, consider putting in a window guard gate vent, or else turn up the air conditioning.<\/p>\n