As you travel this summer, remember that buckling up saves lives. And if you’re pregnant, petite or traveling with a pet, using safety belts correctly is vital.
Pets
80% of pet owners say they travel with pets, and only 1 in 5 uses a restraint.
Drivers buckle up when they climb into their cars, and they secure kids in car seats. Yet many drivers take off with their pets unrestrained.
“In a collision at 35 mph, a 60-pound dog can become a 2,000-pound projectile,” says Christina Seller, founder of Bark Buckle UP, a pet safety organization in Orange County, California. Not only can this cause injuries, but the pet could escape into the path of traffic.
In addition, Setter says one of the biggest dangers is the distraction a pet can cause to the driver if it’s untethered. “And driving with your pet on your lap is an accident waiting to happen.”
1.Canine harness. Get a harness sized to your breed of doag and clip it to a rear safety belt.
2.Pet crate. Cats and small dogs should go in the back seat, stowed in a crate that’s securely clipped to the safety belt.
3.Dog Guard. Choose and automaker-approved barrier between the rear cargo compartment and the rear seat of an SUV.
