Florida Driver Education
Driving Safe on Florida Roads
Dog lovers really enjoy taking their dogs with them in their car on short trips around town or long drives. And most dogs love to ride in cars. Our dogs would rather go with us for a car ride than stay at home. What should you know before you load up your dog for a ride?
Taking your dog for a car ride can present three primary dangers - distraction, securing your pet and outside influences. Distraction is the primary cause of car accidents so it's important to transport your pet in a way that does not distract you. Your dog should not be in your lap or wandering around your car. You should decide if you are going to allow your dog to move around your car or be secure. If your dog rides in your car calmly and is not a distraction you may still want to consider a dog safety belt.
If you have an accident or just stop short your dog can be injured or injure you. Even a small dog can generate an enormous amount of force in an accident. Unsecured a dog will impact either the car or you. Either way the dog or a passenger can be severely injured. In accidents dogs become scared and jump out a window or open door. With traffic moving around you this is very dangerous. To avoid these dangers consider a doggy safety belt. They attach to your cars seat belts, secure your dog and still allow him to move around a little. Another option is to keep your pet in a crate.
A recent dog napping story from Palm City Florida caught our attention. A man goes into the post office and leaves his dog on the front seat of his truck. As he exits the post office he sees two men grab his dog and start to take off. He attempts to stop them but cannot and his dog is gone. Because Florida is so hot in the summer transporting your pet can be a challenge.
You can't leave your dog in a hot car so think about your trip ahead of time. If you will be making several stops and have to get out of the car consider leaving the dog at home. Or take someone with you that can sit in the car with the dog. Most important do not leave a dog alone in a hot car.
