We’re a nation of animal lovers and for many, our dogs are members of the family, so they often accompany us when traveling in the car. However, did you know that not restraining your dog when traveling could:
- Lead to a conviction of dangerous driving if involved in an accident
- Invalidate your car and pet insurance
- Land you with a fine of up to £5000
- Result in a requirement to retake your test
- Add up to 9 penalty points on your driving license
And even worse, distract the driver and cause an accident, risking the lives of you, your passengers, your dogs, and other road users.
Just recently, in June 2022, a man was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after he took his eyes off the road briefly when his unrestrained Weimaraner started to move around the vehicle. His vehicle hit a taxi that was parked on the side of the road, collecting a 77-year-old woman and her husband. Very sadly, the lady lost her life, and her husband was severely injured. He was jailed on June 23rd for 24 weeks, with a 64-week driving ban. We can only imagine the horror and heartbreak of this accident for everyone involved.
Although driving with dogs that are not restrained is not against the law, it is included in Rule 57 of the Highway Code: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.” This means that police have the power to pull you over and charge you with driving with undue care and attention. This can lead to a very hefty fine and 9 penalty points on your license.
DON’T RISK IT!
We want everyone to transport their dogs safely and with minimum risk to themselves, their passengers, their dogs and other road users, and we’ve campaigned to alert people of the dangers of traveling with loose dogs since the company was founded in 1986.
Our VarioCages are all crash tested from all angles: we ensure that they withstand impact from the front, the rear, the sides and during a rollover. We’re the ONLY dog crate manufacturer that crash test in this way and with the crates in situ in the vehicle during the testing process. Most other companies that claim to crash test use computer-generated crash testing. This measures how the crates will withstand an impact in theory but does not physically test the crates to make sure. Even worse, other companies claim to have crash tested when their tests are woefully inadequate and, in some cases, may have not even passed the crash test!
We also offer crash tested harnesses, tailgate guards and dog guards. Please see our shop for our full range of dog transport safety products.
