A RECENT STUDY IN THE UK has shown travelling with a dog in the car makes drivers more likely to drive with greater care. It even reduces stress behind the wheel.
The study revealed that our four-legged friends help their owners to drive more safely, with over half (54 percent) of dog-owning motorists admitting that they drive more carefully with their furry companions in the car with them.
The influence of having a pet pooch on board may be even more pronounced among younger drivers. Recognised as among the most at-risk age group on UK roads, over two thirds (69 percent) of motorists aged 18-24 said they drive more carefully with their dog in the car.
Older drivers are less concerned. Among the over-55s, 42 percent said travelling with their dogs makes them drive in a more cautious manner.
As well as driving more cautiously, the presence of a dog in the car also appears to benefit mental health by reducing drivers’ stress levels. This could even help ease road rage for some motorists as over a third of drivers (35 percent) said that they feel calmer at the wheel if their dog is travelling in the car with them.
Despite dogs being an unlikely hero in helping people drive more carefully, some motorists are still unaware of the laws around travelling with dogs in the car.
Over a third of dog-owning drivers were unsure whether there were any rules at all, or that penalties can be issued by police for driving without due care and attention.
A fifth of motorists interviewed admitted that they do not restrain their dogs in the car at all while driving.
Motorists still need to make sure they’re keeping their dogs safe while travelling too, and finding comfortable and secure in-car pet accessories to properly restrain pets is as important as using your own seat belt.
To read about Australian rules regarding dogs and pets in cars, read our previous story here.