Reasons to Buckle-Up
…You and Your Pets

• Driver distractions have skyrocketed
• Pets ought to be safe
• Protect yourself and others in your vehicle
• Aid rescue workers & medics in the event of an accident
• Even the best behaved dogs have their “moments of distraction”
• Help for dogs that get carsick or fear riding
• Restraints may be required by law

Are Your Pets Safe In the Car?

What Can Happen, Doggie Pinball?

In a crash test on a dummy dog weighing 35 lbs. in a vehicle traveling 30 mph, “When the vehicle is impacted, the dog generated 1,135 lbs. of force.” (IMMI crash test statistics on a Pet Buckle restraining system). Imagine where you or the dog might land in the event of a crash?

Shock, confusion and protective are all behaviors one might observe if your dog is in an accident. Dogs do not understand what has happened and may show aggression to people or rescue workers without provocation. Police officers report shooting dogs in this situation.

Does it make you nervous to see “the classic, dog-in-the-back-of-a-pickup?”

What about a dog sitting on the driver’s lap, with its head out the window?

Driver Distractions?

• Multi-tasking while driving? Kids, pets, cell phones or loose items in your car are a few examples of in-car diversions that can cause you to be preoccupied and have an accident.
• Even well behaved dogs can have their “moments of distraction.” Dogs can get hurt or killed jumping from even a slow moving vehicle. You don’t want to lose your dog far from home or on vacation.
• Head out the window; flying debris can injure your dog. It is easier to control your dog than to be bothered with their possible escape every time a window or door is opened! You may be able to leave windows open for ventilation.
• Police can cite drivers with unruly dogs in their vehicle
• A restraint gives your dog a feeling of security and may help them overcome jumpiness and the fear of riding. Some veterinarians recommend restraint systems to help calm down a dog when braking, cornering, and accelerating.
• Select a harness and not something attached to your dog’s collar which can cause severe neck injury.

When traveling with puppies, smaller dogs or cats, use a crate and crate straps attached to the car’s seat belt system.

The National Highway Safety Administration reports: Seat belts are the “most effective means of reducing fatalities and serious injuries when traffic crashes occur.” “Three-quarters of occupants who are ejected from passenger cars are killed.”