Pets Should Never Ride on your Lap in a Car

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By: Taranjit | Last Updated: November , 2020

I see it may more often than not. Many drivers that let their pets walk around or sit on their lap while they are driving, and the first thought that always comes to my mind is how unsafe that is. Of course, it’s cute to take your pet with you in your car, but it can be a huge distraction to you (as the driver.)

Pets should not ride in your lap in your car

You would think this would be obvious, but then again, why would we be sharing this if it was?

Letting your pet ride on your lap while you drive is not only dangerous for your pet, but can be dangerous for you, too.

Think about it, if you got in a car crash and the air bags deployed, that could cause severe injuries to your pet. The front of the car, especially your lap, is one of the least safest places for your pet to ride. Just like riding with your baby on your lap is unsafe, so is riding with your pet on your lap. The safest place for both a baby and a pet is the back seat of the car.

Pets can be a huge distraction

There is no guarantee that your pet will sit still in a moving car. They are highly likely to start moving around, and this can easily divert your attention from the road and can lead to an accident. Not to mention, an officer, even if it is not illegal to let your pet roam free, can still write you up for distracted driving if they feel your pet is obstructing your view or taking your attention away from the road and your surroundings.

But my pet is well behaved and just chills in the passenger seat.

Good for you, but it’s still dangerous if you were to get in a crash. The airbags were designed for humans wearing seatbelts, not pets, and deployment of the airbags could severely injure or worse, kill your pet.

And this also applies to pets that are allowed to just freely roam in the vehicle. It is still equally as dangerous to the pet and can easily be a distraction to the driver. No matter what you end up deciding to do when bringing your pets along for the ride, be careful with letting your pet roam freely in your car because it could be against your state’s law to do so.

Buckle up. It's safer that way.

Pets are members of your family and you do not want to cause them any harm when they are riding with you in your car. Just like you buckle up to keep yourself safe, protect your pet and properly secure them (in a humane way of course) to keep them safe, too. Happy travels!