If you are headed to your Florida summer home or for a road trip this summer, you may be planning to bring your pet along with you. No matter what type of pet you have, though, you need to take a few precautions to keep both of you safe on the road. Pets are a major distraction for drivers and can inadvertently be the cause of catastrophic car collisions in Pompano Beach and other communities. Incorrectly securing a pet on a road trip can also lead to distress and injury for the animal. If you want to travel safely with your pet, be sure to follow these tips:
1) Buy dog safety seats, car kennels, dog harnesses or travel crates to keep your pet restrained when you travel. Most experts agree that the pet should be in the back seat and there should be a barrier between the back seat and the front seat. This is not only safer for the driver, but also for the pet. It can help prevent a traffic collision in Pompano Beach or your community and ensures that if you are in an accident, your pet is less likely to be injured.
2) Get your pet used to small road trips. When you take the pet to the vet or on another short drive, use the crate or restraint and offer plenty of treats and attention after the trip is done. Short trips allow you to see how your pet handles travel. If your pet seems distress, you may wish to speak with your vet about medication for your cat or dog. A distressed or vocalizing pet on a longer trip can be a source of distraction and frustrating. If you are checking on your pet rather than focusing on the road, you may end up being involved in a car or truck crash in Pompano Beach or your community.
3) Plan for longer trips. Keep medication, water, toys, and treats on hand to distract your pet during rest stops. You may need to plan for more frequent rest stops, too, to make your pet comfortable. Before you travel, visit your vet. Make sure your pet is up-to-date with vaccinations for your travel destination and get advice about medication your pet may need for travel.
4) Use extra caution when you arrive at your destination. If you are on a longer trip, your pet may be disoriented and anxious. During the trip and immediately after the trip, avoid having unfamiliar people interact too closely with your pet without your close supervision. Even if your pet is very well-behaved, animal and dog bites in Pompano Beach and other communities often happen when an animal is distressed. Allow your pet to adjust to your destination gradually.
Pets are a valued passenger in your car, and a little extra care can keep both you and your pet safe.
Unfortunately, not all pet owners follow the above tips to stay safe on a trip. If you have been injured due to a driver’s distracted driving or reckless driving, contact the Flaxman Law Group for legal advice and a free accident consultation.