Why do dogs like to stick their heads out of the window of a moving car?*
Whatever the reason, a recent ICBC survey found that 14 per cent of drivers said they don’t restrain their pet while it’s in the car because they want it to be able to stick its head out the window. The same survey showed that of the British Columbians who said they’d travelled with a pet in their car over the past year, nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) admitted to not always using restraints.
Among drivers who drive with a pet in their vehicle, 12 per cent say their pet rides on a passenger’s lap, while two per cent say their pet sometimes sits on the driver’s lap while driving.
Among drivers who don’t always secure their pets, the most common reasons include that trips are usually short (39 per cent); the pet is calm or well-trained (36 per cent); and the pet doesn’t like restraints (22 per cent).
Twenty-one per cent of respondents said they had never really thought about the issue, while another 18 per cent said they didn’t believe it was necessary. About 35 per cent of those who don’t always secure their pets didn’t think it was dangerous to drive with an unrestrained pet.
The truth, says ICBC, is that driving with an unsecured pet in the car puts people, their passengers, and their animals at risk.
“For many of us, pets are part of the family, and we want them with us wherever we go,” says Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC road safety manager. “But an unrestrained pet can be a serious distraction and a safety risk in a crash. Taking a few simple steps to secure your pet properly can help protect everyone in the vehicle.”
The survey also highlighted concerns about pets left in parked vehicles, with 57 per cent of British Columbians surveyed saying they have seen a pet left unattended in a vehicle in the past year. Additionally, 24 per cent of drivers who travel with pets admit to having left their pet alone in a vehicle in the past year, saying it was only for a short time (77 per cent), temperatures were believed to be safe (70 per cent), and the windows were left open (66 per cent) were the most common reasons given.
“Securing your pet while travelling is the first step, but taking them with you when you leave your car is just as important,” says Kim Monteith, BC SPCA manager of animal welfare. “We continue to see animals suffer needlessly when they’re left in parked vehicles, even for a few minutes. Temperatures can rise quickly, putting pets at risk of serious distress or death.
“Please secure your pet when driving and take your furry friend with you when you’re not. Leaving your pet at home is the kindest thing you can do when you can’t control the temperature.”
With the summer driving season in full swing, here are some tips to help keep you and your pet safe:
– Always secure your pet. An unrestrained animal can become a dangerous projectile in a crash, risking injury to themselves and others, and a major distraction for drivers. Use a properly fitted harness with a seatbelt attachment or a secured, hard-sided crate. Look for products that are crash-tested.
– Keep pets in the back seat or cargo area. Never allow pets to sit on your lap or in the front seat. Airbag deployment can seriously injure animals, and a pet in the driver’s space increases the risk of a collision.
– Plan ahead to reduce distractions. Bring water, food, and comfort items to keep pets calm during travel. For longer trips, plan regular breaks so both drivers and pets can rest.
– Keep heads — and paws — inside the vehicle. Letting pets stick their heads out the window can lead to eye injuries or debris strikes. Open windows can also increase the risk of pets falling or jumping out.
– Transport pets safely in trucks. It’s illegal and unsafe to have an unsecured animal in the back of a pickup truck. If you must transport a pet this way, use a properly secured crate positioned in the centre of the truck bed.
– Never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, even on mild days. Cracked windows or shade do not prevent dangerous heat buildup. If you can’t bring your pet with you, leave them at home.
* Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors, so the rush of wind past their head brings an endless stream of new and changing odours. They also seem to enjoy the sensation of wind blowing past their ears and through their fur.