- a new study from volvo car usa and the harris polling firm has revealed that allowing pets to roam unrestrained while driving led to significantly more unsafe driving behaviors.
- the study followed 15 drivers and their dogs for more than 30 hours to examine how driving with an unrestrained pet affected driving behavior.
- the study further illustrates the dangers to all passengers, human and canine, when drivers do not restrain their dogs.
today is national dog day, but you might not want to take your furry best friend out for a ride to celebrate.
the safety-obsessed swedes at volvo have released a study, which found that allowing pets to roam unrestrained while driving leads to "significantly more unsafe driving behaviors, more time distracted, and increased stress" on drivers and animals alike.
along with the harris poll, volvo followed 15 drivers with dogs for more than 30 hours on the road, examining how driving with an unrestrained pet affected driving behavior versus when the owner used restraints such as pet seatbelts, harnesses, crates, and carriers. when the pets were allowed to roam freely throughout the car, unsafe driving behaviors more than doubled, the amount of time drivers were distracted more than doubled, and stress levels (measured by heart rates) increased for both humans and dogs.
an emergency-car veterinarian echoed volvo's findings. "while pets roaming around the car can be cute and convenient, it poses serious risk for both drivers and their pets," says dr. elisa mazzaferro, "both in terms of causing distractions and increasing the chances of serious injury in the event of an accident."