Don’t let your furry friends cost you cash when you go for a drive...
Motorists who flout rules when taking their pets with them in the car could be out of pocket...
PET owners heading off on holiday over the Easter break are being warned they face fines of up to £5,000 if their dogs or cats are not restrained.
More than one-third (36 per cent) of drivers who own and travel with their pet admit to previously driving without properly restraining them. That’s according to new research by Confused.com.
But pet owners are being urged to think about road safety as motorists aren’t always following the law around restraints.
Almost a fifth (19 per cent) of drivers travel with dogs or cats at least once a week or several times a week (15 per cent).
But the latest research reveals that more than more than 20 per cent of pet owners are unsure about the laws on pet restraints when driving. And as motorists might start thinking about planning holidays there are still lessons to be learned when it comes to pet safety.
The research also showed 25 per cent of motorists plan to keep their pet on the back seat of their vehicle without restraint. Others said they’d put their pet in the passenger footwell (18 per cent) or in a bed or blanket (18 per cent).
Drivers also admitted that their pet would be sat on a passenger’s lap (14 per cent) or placed in the front passenger seat without a restraint (14 per cent). Shockingly, 1 in 7 (14 per cent) said they were planning to have their pet sit on their lap when driving.
The Highway Code states that when in a vehicle, drivers must ensure that, ‘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.’
Drivers who are found travelling with their pets unrestrained risk fines of up to £5,000.
Car insurance expert at Confused. com, Alex Kindred said: “Pet restraints are a legal requirement and are important for the safety of all road users.
“If you’re distracted by your pet when driving, you could be responsible for causing a serious accident. And if your pet is found to be unrestrained, this could result in points on your licence or fines of up to £5,000.
“Our research also found that 16 per cent of motorists don’t think unrestrained pets can invalidate insurance, but this is untrue. Insurers are unlikely to approve your claim if they find you’ve been driving carelessly.”