“Driving with Pets”
Animals and pets are wonderful things. Animals can help with mental health, physical activity, a sense of purpose, and companionship. We may even want to go on fun adventures with them. However, pets can cause some distractions or dangers when driving. Before embarking, there are some things you should know. In this blog, we will look at some helpful tips and some safety concerns when traveling with a pet.
Give it some time: Young drivers should be patient with bringing their pets in the vehicle. Pets add an extra layer of distractions that we often try to remove. Driving can be difficult by itself without the added distraction of having to look out for another life form that does not understand everything you are saying. So, give it some time and make sure you are comfortable driving before driving with a pet.
Crates or car seats: Look into purchasing crates or car restrainment devices for your animal. Animals that are properly contained are safer in the event of a crash, just like humans who wear a seat belt properly. It is important to do your research on the proper size and mounting for the contraptions as insufficient or incorrectly sized safety devices can be just as dangerous as no safety device.
Window and door locks: Lock your windows and doors when you drive. You could even put on the child locks for your vehicle. Animals' paws and mouths can easily open windows and doors unexpectedly. This is generally not a good thing when driving at high speeds and can lead to escapes or distractions.
Bring along a human friend: Remember to remain paw-sitive. Animals, like humans, first did when encountering a moving vehicle were perplexed. It is important to remain calm and understand that things may not go as smoothly as they normally do. Having a helping hand can be very useful in controlling or checking on a pet. It can be dangerous for the driver to have to focus on the road and the animal while driving.
Prepare your animal: Generally, a calm animal is a tired animal. Before long trips give your pet the opportunity for extra exercise. If the adventure is the exercise, then be sure to remain calm and not get too excited before going. Most animals perform better after some practice, so work on getting in and out of the vehicle as well as taking shorter drivers around the block to familiarize your animal before longer trips, if possible.
Do not leave your animal unattended in the vehicle: Leaving your pet in your vehicle unattended for even a short time can be dangerous. Temperatures, even on a cool day, can climb easily inside a parked car. They could also be stollen or escape somehow and be lost in an unknown location. Also, who knows what the animal may try to eat or drink if left alone in a vehicle.
Animals and pets are wonderful things to have and live with. It is important when transporting them to be careful and to do it safely. Wait until you are comfortable driving by yourself before adding an animal into the picture. Also, prepare yourself, your vehicle, and your pet so that success is more easily attainable.