Introduction
Over the years, dogs have been a significant part of human beings offering the necessary company at home. The relationship has grown, and in the current world majority of pet owners have adopted the tendency of having the canines join them, especially when traveling in their cars. Following the close connection between the dog and their respective owners, most of the time, the individuals tend to drive carrying them in their laps. The practice has raised serious concern among road users who have managed to spot some people driving with dogs on their laps. It is believed that the animal’s demand for attention from the driver may influence the focus, thus making the person have reduced concentration to observe the road and other road users. The behavior is becoming a new threat on the roads, similar to the aspect of driving while drunk. Even though most individuals perceive the conduct as insignificant danger, the distraction by the pet, such as blocking the view, shifting the gear, and jostling the steering wheel, is more likely to cause an accident.
Discussion
Dogs are cunning, and in most cases, they might attempt to climb their owners, kiss, and press their noses on the person, especially when they realize there is little attention given to them. The conduct makes them block the driver’s view of the road and thus cannot see clearly the other road users. When people are distracted while they are driving, they are more likely to lose control of the car and hit the vehicle ahead of them or a ramp on the railroads (Hernandez). Therefore, having the pet on one’s lap can easily make the individual cause an accident due to the poor visibility resulting from the dog’s blockage of the front view.
Similarly, driving with the dog on their lap makes it easier for them to touch the car’s gear shift unintentionally. When the command is activated, the driver might not be aware, and thus it can be disastrous, primarily when the vehicle is being driven at high speed. The shifting of the gear may prompt the motor to make sudden moves that can cause a catastrophic accident when the driver fails to correct the adjustment in time. Therefore, keeping the pet near the driver’s seat can be dangerous to both the owner and other road users.
Furthermore, following their playful nature, dogs, when carried on the laps, might find themselves under the driver’s feet. The movement is more likely to cause the owner to lose focus while trying to retrieve it back to the lap. In the process, the person develops less situational awareness on the road and cannot easily respond in time in case there is a potential threat. For example, if the dog slides from the lap towards the accelerator pedal, the individual will be forced to bring it back to the seat in the process deviating from observing the road. Such involvements are distractive and can easily make the pet owner lose control of the car, thus hitting other vehicles or toppling.
Carrying the pet in a lap makes them sit closer to the steering wheel and thus making it possible for the dog to push it. When the vehicle is being driven at a significant speed, the wheels become sensitive to even a slight jostle (Hernandez). For instance, assuming the dog perceives an exciting event in the front, it might be tempted to lean forward hence touching the steering wheel. Similarly, the pet might stretch, and its leg comes into contact with the wheel as well. The mentioned incidents have the potential of making the car lose control and thus increase the chances of hitting any object nearby.
In addition, when the dog is loose, it might keep moving, thus requiring the driver to remove the hands from the steering wheel to manage it. It is a common scenario, especially when the pet feels excited. The animal will most of the time go close to the window or attempt to jump; hence would need the intervention of the driver to tame its conduct. During the process, the owner will be having divided attention, and the vehicle’s steering wheel will be free, making it easier for the car to lose control. Therefore, having the dog in the lap while driving is risking the safety of the person as well as other road users.
In addition, having the pet in the driver’s lap increases its likelihood of dying in the event of an accident. Generally, cars are designed to eject an airbag to prevent the driver from potential injuries (Hazel et al.). However, when the item is deployed, it generates a significant force that can easily crush a small pet. Based on the finding by AAA, a dog weighing four kilograms can exert a pressure of about 140 kilograms during a crash assuming the vehicle was moving at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour (Bell). The notion implies that it will be challenging for the dog to survive a car crash, especially when sited in the front. In other words, the dog will become a hazardous projectile.
Sometimes, the pet, during the travel, may be tempted to jump through the window and run into the traffic. The aspect can easily make the dog be crashed by other vehicles or cause significant traffic congestion, especially when the owner is in dire need to secure it back safely. Such conduct might endanger the owner as well as other road users. Furthermore, in case of such incidents, the pet owner might face charges from the law enforcement unit following the distraction on the road. Currently, some states, such as Hawaii, have enacted laws that prohibit unsafe travel with dogs implying that in the situation, the individual will have to pay a fine and risk a jail term. Therefore, driving with a pet in a lap might be costly to the owner.
In case of an accident, the dog owner is liable for the damages even if the pet did not cause the distraction. In states such as Delaware, if the dog causes any injury to any other road user, the law will charge the owner and impose a necessary fine. The situation implies that despite the participation of the victim in the incident, they are not regarded as the problem, and thus all the liabilities are transferred to the individual traveling with the pet.
Even though driving with a dog in the lap is considered a dangerous act, some individuals perceive the conduct as a way of developing a healthy relationship with the pet. Generally, dogs are not able to express their feelings; thus, being allowed to sit on the lap makes them feel comfortable around their owner. Furthermore, the proximity ensures they provide affection to the owner, which makes them feel safe as well. Therefore, having the dogs unrestrained is essential for their well-being.
In most cases, individuals are stressed, and they might not be able to concentrate on the road; hence having the dog around them makes them feel relaxed and focused. Pets are attention seekers, and having them near will prompt the driver to remain active and thus concentrate on the highway (Ng and Fine). The aspect may prevent the person from losing attention and remaining vigil throughout the journey. In such a situation, the dog becomes a significant stress reliever for the owner hence lowering the likelihood of involving in an accident.
Conclusion
Dogs cause distraction, and driving with them on their lap can increase the likelihood of involving in an accident. Generally, being a friendly pet, a dog will seek attention from the owner and, in the event, may opt to pressure its nose or even block the driver’s view. In such a scenario, the owner will have limited ability to see the road clearly and thus can easily hit other cars. Similarly, in case of an accident, the deployed airbag can crash the pet instantly following the pressure it exerts on it. This will imply that the chances of the pet surviving even minor accidents will be minimal. In addition, the animal might stretch and shift the car gear leading to a control problem. Being unaware of the incident, it might be challenging for the driver to respond immediately to correct the adjustments, which can potentially cause a fatal accident. Therefore, it is inappropriate to dive with the dog in the lap.
Works Cited
Bell, Renee. “The Dangers of Driving with a Dog on Your Lap.” The Northwest Florida Daily News, Northwest Florida Daily News, Web.
Hazel, Susan J., et al. “Restraint of dogs in vehicles in the US, UK and Australia.” Preventive veterinary medicine 170 (2019): 104714. Web.
Hernandez, Juan. “Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Dog Sit on Your Lap While Driving.” Hernandez Law Group, P.C., Web.
Ng, Zenithson Y., and Aubrey H. Fine. “Considerations for the Retirement of Therapy Animals.” Animals, vol. 9, no. 12, 2019. Web.