Honoring Dogs: AAA Safe Tips For Traveling With Your Four-Legged Friend

These Tips Are Courtesy of AAA.......


Traveling with your pet is becoming more popular as hotels, restaurants, and destinations are offering more pet-friendly options. According to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey, more than three in four (77%) pet owners enjoy bringing their furry companions for a car ride. Yet more than one in three (35%) admit to never restraining their pet while riding in the car. This can lead to added distractions for the driver and increased dangers for all passengers, including pets.

Dangers of Traveling with Your Pet
Almost two in five (37%) pet owners stated they do not use a pet restraint because they primarily take short trips with their pet. However, in the case of a crash, a loose pet will be thrown around the vehicle regardless of trip length – a danger to passengers as well as the animal.


“A 10-pound dog involved in a crash at only 30 mph becomes a 300 pound projectile, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog will exert approximately 2,400 pounds of force,” said Amy Stracke, Managing Director, Traffic Safety Advocacy, AAA – The Auto Club Group. "This poses a serious risk of injury or even death for either your pet or anyone else in its path, reinforcing the importance of restraining your four-legged friend every time they are in the car."

One in six (16%) pet owners admit to becoming distracted by their pet while driving. The majority of drivers admit to engaging in risky behavior while behind the wheel; petting their animal was the most common activity cited (42%). Other distracting behaviors drivers admitted to include allowing their pet to freely move from seat to seat (26%), allowing their pet to sit in their lap (26%), giving food or water (16%) and 11 percent have taken a photo of their pet while driving. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, taking your eyes off of the road for two seconds doubles your risk of a crash. Attending to your pet while driving could easily take your eyes off the road for more than two seconds.  

“These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash," Josh Carrasco, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Using a pet restraint can aid in limiting distractions and help protect pets and passengers. A restraint will not only limit distractions, but also protect you, your pet and other passengers in the event of a crash or sudden stop."

How to Travel With Your Pet
Keep the following tips in mind so that everyone, including your animal friends, has an enjoyable and safe trip:

• For safety reasons, pets should be confined to the back seat, either in a carrier or a harness attached to the car’s seat belt. This will prevent distractions as well as protect the animal and other passengers in the event of a collision.
• Never allow your pet to ride in the bed of a pickup truck. It’s illegal in some states; the pet also can jump out or be thrown out of the truck bed. Harnessing or leashing it to the truck bed is not advisable either: if it tries to jump out, the pet could be dragged along the road or the restraint could become a noose.
• Avoid placing animals in campers or trailers.
• Don’t let your dog stick its head out the window, no matter how enjoyable it seems. Road debris and other flying objects can injure delicate eyes and ears, and the animal is at greater risk for severe injury if the vehicle should stop suddenly or be struck.
• AAA recommends that drivers stop every 2 hours to stretch their legs and take a quick break from driving. Your pet will appreciate the same break. Plan to visit a rest stop every 4 hours or so to let him have a drink and a chance to answer the call of nature.
• NEVER leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on pleasant days the temperature inside a car can soar to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 10 minutes, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke and possibly death. On very cold days, hypothermia is a risk. Also, animals left unattended in parked cars can be stolen.

Pet Travel Resources
AAA is committed to the safety and welfare of its members, which includes those with four legs. "Pet product discounts and pet prescription savings are just a few ways AAA members can save a few dollars when caring for their furry friend," said Belinda Dabrowski, Managing Director of Partnership Development, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
A variety of reasonably priced products are available to keep pets safe and help pet owners reduce potential distractions caused by pets while driving. AAA recommends owners use a restraint system anytime they are driving with their pet—even short trips close to home.

• AAA Member Savings: AAA members save 20 percent on pet restraint products and carriers from Kurgo when shopping through AAA.com/Save and using promo code AAADog. Prescriptions for family pets that can be filled at a traditional pharmacy may also be eligible for a AAA discount. For more information and to obtain a free AAA Prescription Savings Card visit AAA.com/Rx or call 1-866-AAA-SAVE (1-866-222-7283). Visit AAA.com/Save for more information and a complete list of retailers and member offers.
• AAA PetBook: To assist motorists who plan to take their pets on a summer road trip, AAA has released a newly updated Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook®. Now in its 18^th edition, the guide features more than 15,000 AAA Approved and Diamond rated hotels, restaurants and campgrounds that welcome travelers and their furry family members.

AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey was conducted online among dog and cat owners living in Florida from April 12 - 28, 2016. A total of 199 residents completed the survey. Overall survey responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida. Total survey results have a margin of error of ± 6.9 percentage points.