Driving safety tips for pet owners are helpful because having furry friends in the vehicle introduces a number of new variables and factors that can in some cases increase the likelihood of an accident. At the same time, driving with a pet means that you won’t only be responsible for your own health and safety any more – there’s another little life that is dependent on your smart and careful driving.

Driving Safety Tips for Pet Owners

They say that you should never work with children or animals, and with that in mind, it can become a challenge to drive while Fido is leaping on and off the seat next to you. Let’s take a look at some of the best things you can do to increase safety and prevent accidents while driving with pets.

Use a Mirror

If you are worried about your dog on the back seat, then you should consider investing in a mirror. This should attach to the seat head-rest, allowing you to see everything going on on that back seat. You’ll just need to glance into the rear-view mirror, and that will be enough to get a good idea of what’s going on back there. The reason that this is an important safety tip, is that it means you won’t be tempted to turn and look backward when you find yourself worrying about them.

Use the Trunk

Ideally though, animals should not be on the back seat or on any seat. They will be likely to jump on and off, which is distracting. Not only that, but if they you need to break suddenly, then they will likely slip off of the seat and this could lead to an injury.
Even better than keeping your pet in the boot is to use a pet carrier. This is preferable because it should be able to fasten into the chair using the seatbelt or an Iso-Fix point. Either way, they’ll then be held still in the event of an emergency stop.

Take Breaks

Taking regular breaks is important not only for your pet’s health, but also for your own happiness – unless you like trying to get the smell of urine out of your leather! Scheduling regular stops is a good way to keep your pet happy and to avoid a mess, and it will ensure you don’t find yourself stuck with nowhere to stop for miles in either direction. You should also bring snacks and treats, and something for them to drink out of.

Great Plains Auto Body Shop Omaha & Council Bluffs | Best Auto Body Shops Omaha & Council Bluffs, IA

At Great Plains Auto Body shop Omaha and Council Bluffs, we’re committed to giving you an unmatched level of service. As a company that’s been family-owned and operated for more than 26 years, we’re dedicated to treating our customers as we would treat members of our own family. We’ll keep you informed throughout the entire repair process and make sure you’re satisfied when the job is complete. From estimating and detailing to collision repair and paint services, our ASE-certified mechanics and technicians make sure the job is done right and on time.