If you are traveling for the holidays, you may have plans to take your pet with you. If you are traveling by car, however, bringing your dog or car could prove dangerous. Pets in the car can be a considerable distraction and according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 5500 fatalities and more than 450,000 injuries annually due to distracted driving. According to the Automobile Association of America (AAA), 31% of polled drivers have admitted to being distracted by their pets while behind the wheel. Experts agree that pets cause thousands of car accidents each year, although there are no firm statistics about these types of car accidents in Hollywood or other communities.
There are many reasons why pets can be a distraction in the car:
•They can climb onto the driver’s lap or try to take the driver’s attention away from the road
•Smaller pets can get underfoot or even under the gas or brake pedals, causing a collision
•A driver may become so distracted by what the pet is doing in the car that they lose control of the vehicle
•A pet can get in the windows, obstruction visibility
Pets not only cause accidents, but in the event of an accident an unrestrained animal in the car becomes a danger to everyone. In the event of a crash, a pet can be seriously injured while being flung around the inside of a car. A pet also becomes a dangerous projectile inside the car, potentially causing harm to passengers. A 60-pound dog, for example, has the projectile force of 2700 pounds if a car accident occurs at 35 mph – even more at higher speeds. An animal can also scratch or bite in the event of a collision, causing injury that way. In some accidents, animals dart out of the car and cause additional crashes while in some cases they may prevent emergency personnel from coming near victims.
All in all, unrestrained pets can be a serious problem when it comes to car and truck accidents in Hollywood.
Safety experts and animal welfare advocates agree: when driving with your pet, keep your pet restrained. Both you and your pet will be much safer from a traffic accident in Hollywood if your pet is in a crate, carrier, harness, or pet safety restraint. Your vet can recommend safety options that could work well for you and your pet.
According to experts, pet travel has increased 300% since 2005. With more of us traveling with cats and dogs, it is important to be aware of the dangers. During the holidays, especially, there are more people on the roads and more people traveling with pets to holiday events and family get-togethers. It’s a good time of year to remember pets safety and to take precautions to ensure that both you and your pet stay safe.
Have you been injured in a traffic crash caused by a reckless or negligent driver? Do you think you may have a case? Find out today by contacting Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation with a personal injury attorney.