Driving with dogs in the car

Dogs in cars - Woof's the big deal?

Driving with a dog in the car is something which many of us do every day. Did you know that as the driver you are responsible for your dog’s safety in the car? Did you also know that driving with an unrestrained dog in the car is technically illegal in the UK? If you didn’t, you should definitely read this blog to find out more about driving with pets in the car safely and legally.

When driving with dogs in the car, you must ensure that they are suitably restrained. There are several reasons for this:

• It’s a legal requirement.
• Ensures the safety of the driver and passengers.
• Ensures the safety of your pet.
• Avoids driver distractions.
• Prevents road traffic accidents.
• Protects your interior from damage.

Laws on dogs in cars (UK)

There is no specific law which relates directly to driving with dogs in a car. However, the Highway Code features very clear and specific guidance about dogs travelling in cars.

Is it illegal to have an unrestrained dog in a car?

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states:

When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.^[1]

The Highway Code is not law, however, many of its instructions are underwritten by laws. Consequently, responsible pet owners and drivers should abide by Rule 57 without question. This is because restraining your pet in the car keeps them, you and your passengers safe.

Additionally, if police pull you over and you have an unrestrained pet in the car, they will likely claim that you were driving without ‘due care and attention’. This offence carries severe fines of up to £5,000. You could also receive up to nine points on your licence if your case is taken to court.

Additionally, if you are involved in a car accident as a result of your dog being unrestrained, it’s unlikely that your insurance will pay out and you could also be charged with dangerous driving.

Dogs travelling in car boot laws

It is not illegal to drive with your dog in the boot. However, for a dog to travel safely in a car boot, you will require a dog crate or guard. Ultimately, the law deems that pets must be secured within a car. If your dog can move freely between the boot and the cabin, this puts you, your passengers and your dog at risk.

Can a passenger hold a dog in a car?

A passenger holding a dog in a moving car does not count as being a ‘suitable restraint’ for a dog as per Rule 57 of the Highway Code. Although the passenger is holding the dog, the dog can still get free. This can lead to driver distraction or injury and result in an accident.

How to secure a dog in the car

As per the Highway Code, there are four ways to safely secure a dog in a car. These include a seat belt, a seat belt harness, a pet carrier, or a dog cage/guard. Below, we will discuss each method, with benefits and drawbacks of each.

A dog seat belt

This is a simple yet effective way of securing your dog in your car. This is a type of seat belt which can be attached directly to your dog’s own harness or collar. The tongue of a dog’s seat belt clips into the buckle in the same way that a human seat belt does. The belt is adjustable, meaning that you can set it to the correct length for your dog.

A dog seat belt is effective, efficient and easy to use. It’s also handy when switching on to a lead as the seat belt simply unclips from the lead. The main drawback is that it only provides limited restraint for a dog. Additionally, larger dogs may be able to chew the seat belt, causing damage to it in the process.

The belt is designed to be long enough for your dog to comfortably sit upright, but not long enough for them to move about. We would always suggest securing your dog’s seat belt to their harness rather than their collar. This is because it is safer and more supportive for your dog in the event of a collision.

A dog car harness

A dog car harness is another method which you can use to securely restrain your dog when travelling in the car. A car harness is far securer than a dog seat belt as your furry friend is attached directly to the car via the harness. It does mean that they have less freedom of movement than if wearing a seat belt.

The car harness works by being secured to your dog’s upper body and chest as a normal harness would. The car’s seat belt is then slipped through an opening on the back of the harness and clipped into the buckle. This way of securing your dog is similar to the way we as humans wear seat belts in the car.

The main drawbacks of this type of restraint are that the dog will be more restricted in their movement. This could lead to agitation on longer drives with younger dogs. This option is also more expensive. However, a dog car harness could be considered a safer choice for your pooch in the event of a sudden stop or an accident, as the harness will spread the strain across your pet’s body. In comparison, a sudden stop could impact their neck if they’re secured via their collar. This type of harness can also be used for walks too, meaning that you won’t have to switch it out! A car harness is a great product, as it is multi-purpose!

A pet carrier

A pet carrier is a portable box or crate used to transport small to medium-sized pets. They are available in a selection of shapes, sizes and materials so you can choose the best one for you.

Investing in a good pet carrier can be beneficial in many ways. A pet carrier can provide your dog with a sense of safety and comfort while travelling by car. It also helps to prevent any destructive behaviour.

Another great thing about pet carriers is the convenience they offer. If it’s a trip to the vet you’re taking, you can take your pet inside without having to remove them from the pet carrier! They are also great to use when travelling on a plane with your pet. You can usually tether your pet carrier to the headrest of a seat or place it on the floor of the vehicle. Some pet carriers may even come with a seat belt slip.

Dog guard

A dog guard is an accessory which is designed to keep your dog out of the cabin while driving. They usually take the form of metal grills fitted between the boot and the back passenger seats. This metal grill works as a partition. A dog guard offers your dog more freedom than what is offered with a crate, as your dog has free roam of the boot area.

The downfall with this method is that it does not come with anything to secure your dog to. It is simply a guard which partitions the front of the vehicle from the boot. It could be argued that a dog guard aids driver and passenger safety more than the dog’s safety.

A positive is that, unlike a dog crate, a dog guard does not take up space in the boot. This means that you won’t have a massive crate in your boot. We recommend getting a vehicle-specific dog guard for the best results.

Dog cage/crate

If you have crate-trained your puppy, choosing a crate for the car to secure your dog is a great choice. Crate training often reassures young dogs of their safe space. Reinforcing this in the car can be beneficial to both dog and owner for many reasons. It keeps the back seats of your car cleaner for a start! For nervous dogs, creating a safe space with the crate in the boot can make for less stressful journeys.

The main drawback of this method is the fact that it will take up the majority of your boot. If you regularly use the cargo space in your boot, buying a dog crate may not be for you. It also may be that your boot is just too small to house a dog crate.

Before purchasing a dog crate for the car, you should measure out your boot space. You should also ensure that your furry friend is comfortable in the crate. You can do this by getting them used to it in a different environment first!

Dog safety in a car – we explored the science

A 2020 study on canine collars by Nottingham Trent University investigated whether the collar type was a mitigating factor to the risk of injury when varying forces were applied. The study used a simulated model as the test environment. Although the study did not directly look at the forces involved from the perspective of a sudden stop in a car or a road traffic accident, it did test across several ranges. These included the force equivalent to a firm pull, a strong pull and a jerk. In regard to applied force, these equated to 40 newtons, 70 newtons and 141 newtons respectively.

Variation in the pressures exerted on the neck may have implications on comfort and the potential to cause injury. No single collar tested provided a pressure considered low enough to mitigate the risk of injury when pulling on the lead.^[2]

In comparison, if we compare these forces to those involved in a car crash. We used this physics calculator to find out what forces would be felt by Jimmy, a 15kg Frenchie, if he was travelling at 30mph in the backseat of a car. In this hypothetical scenario, the impact force would be 6,745 newtons, over 47x more force than a jerk on a lead.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents conclude in their documentation on ‘Carrying Pets in Vehicles Safely’ that, for medium to large dogs, a safety harness attached to the seat belt is the best option, though they did emphasise the importance of ensuring the harness is correctly fitted. Ideally, the harness should have wide straps and enough room to fit two fingers between it and your pet.

Travelling with dogs – our top tips

Ensuring furry friends are safe in the car is the driver’s responsibility, so how can you keep them safe? We have some tips and tricks for you which include what to do before, during and after your journey.

Before the journey

• Start with small journeys to get your pet ‘journey ready'.
• Take your pet for a long walk beforehand if you are going on a long journey.
• Get prepared with treats, food and water for when you’re on the move.
• Make sure you have your pet carrier or car restraint ready to go.
• Put seat covers on the seats which your pet will be on.
• Bring some of your pet’s favourite toys or their blanket.
• Get some window shades to keep the car cool and block direct sunlight.
• Switch off the passenger-side airbag if your dog will be sitting in the front seat.

During the journey

• Restrain your dog.
• Keep them entertained with their favourite toy or enrichment task.
• Get prepared with treats, food and water for when you’re on the move.
• Keep the window lowered slightly to circulate fresh air in the car.
• Don’t let them hang out the window.
• Ensure they drink water on the journey.
• Be aware of signs of motion sickness.

After the journey

• Do not leave your dog in the car.
• Ensure you reactivate your passenger side airbag if your dog has been and will no longer be travelling with you in the front seat.

Hopefully after reading this blog, you feel prepped and ready for anything when it comes to driving with your dog in the car!

References

1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-about-animals-47-to-58
2. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105681